The Edmonton Eskimos haven’t been very kind to themselves as of late. Currently mired in a three-game losing streak, the Eskimos will look to break that streak on Saturday night when they host the Calgary Stampeders in the Labour Day rematch on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Eskimos suffered their third straight loss and sixth straight on Labour Day falling 39-18 to their provincial rivals on Monday afternoon. The Eskimos are now 7-3 on the season, while the Stampeders have won six straight games out-scoring their opponents 211-77. They lead the Western Division with an 8-1-1 record. The Stampeders have won 13 straight games against Western Division opponents.
The Eskimos have been getting off to terrible starts during their slide; in the last three games the team has been out-scored 69-15 in the first half. The Eskimos have never held the lead in any of their last three games, which is their longest stretch since the 1971 CFL season.
The Eskimos finished the fourth quarter strong in Calgary. Quarterback Mike Reilly passed for 320 yards for his sixth 300 yard passing game of the season with 129 yards coming in the final quarter. Reilly threw for two touchdowns, he threw for two interceptions in the third quarter.
Receiver Brandon Zylstra caught nine passes for 127 yards and scored one of the touchdown’s in the fourth quarter. It was the fifth 100 yard receiving game of the season. The Eskimos broke the Stampeders streak of consecutive quarters without surrendering a touchdown at nine.
The Eskimos will be getting some healthy bodies back and a big name who is familiar to fans of the green and gold.
Receiver Derel Walker signed back with the Eskimos on Wednesday following a stint in the NFL. Walker will play on Saturday and be paired back with Adarius Bowman. The two combined last season to set a CFL record for the most receiving yards by a duo with 3,310 yards.
The Eskimos will be getting some injured players back as defensive tackle’s Euclid Cummings and Da’Quan Bowers will play. Linebacker Blair Smith will play his first game since July 20 in Hamilton. Defensive end Philip Hunt has been removed from the six-game injured list and has been added to the 46-man roster. Offensive lineman Danny Groulx has been placed on the one-game injured list, David Beard will start at left guard.
Coming out of the lineup are receiver Kenny Stafford, defensive linemen Mike Moore and Darius Allen. Fullback James Tuck has been released.
LISTEN: Eskimos head coach Jason Maas talks about the additions to the team ahead of the Labour Day rematch
The following is the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Eskimos:
Offence
Quarterback: Mike Reilly
Running Back: LaDarius Perkins
Offensive Line: Joel Figeuroa-David Beard-Justin Sorensen-Matt O’Donnell-Colin Kelly
Receivers: Derel Walker-Adarius Bowman-Cory Watson-Brandon Zylstra-Duke Williams
Defence
Defensive Line: John Chick-Almondo Sewell-Euclid Cummings-Odell Willis
Linebackers: Adam Konar-Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga-Kenny Ladler
Defensive Backs: Mercy Maston-Garry Peters-Cauchy Muamba-Forrest Hightower-Marcell Young
630 CHED will have live coverage of the Labour Day rematch starting with Countdown to Kick-off at 5:30 p.m. The opening kick-off between the Eskimos and Stampeders will be at 7 p.m. on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.
Comments