WINNIPEG — This game will be different for Jake Maier right from the start, but he’s trying not to think about it that way.
The Calgary Stampeders’ second-year backup quarterback will get the start in Winnipeg Thursday against the 9-1 Blue Bombers with healthy veteran Bo Levi Mitchell still on the depth chart.
Maier said head coach Dave Dickenson gave him the news without making it a big deal.
“It’s business as usual,” Maier said. “It wasn’t this super, drawn-out dramatic thing by any means.
“He obviously liked the way we performed the second half (last week) as an offence and he wanted to keep that momentum going, I think. So nothing more, nothing less.
Maier replaced Mitchell for the second half of Calgary’s 22-19 road win over the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday. Maier was 14-of-18 passing for 156 yards and an interception as the Stampeders rallied from a 16-10 halftime deficit.
Calgary safety Elie Bouka sparked the Calgary (6-3) comeback with a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Rene Paredes added two fourth-quarter field goals.
Mitchell had completed nine-of-16 passes for 149 yards and was intercepted twice.
Dickenson said the performances of Maier and Mitchell in that game didn’t factor into the QB switch too much. Maier has played well in Winnipeg and the offence needs to be sharper, he explained.
“I know I've got good quarterbacks and I’m confident in both guys” Dickenson said. “I've got a good room. I’m just playing what I think is best to win a game. That’s basically the bottom line.”
It will be the fourth CFL start for the 25-year-old Maier. All three of his previous starts came with Mitchell on the injured list.
One of Maier’s starts was against the Bombers last year. He completed 16 straight passes through the first half and added one more in the third quarter of the Aug. 29 game, which Winnipeg won 18-16.
Mitchell, 32, has never sat out a meaningful game since he became an established starter in 2014. He did miss Calgary’s last regular-season game in 2017, but the team was prepping for the playoffs.
The 10-year veteran posted a message on his Instagram Wednesday about the switch.
“I am obviously frustrated with the decision, any competitor would be,” Mitchell wrote. “But.. I am a member of this team and I am not above coaching or criticism.
“I believe in Jake and believe he will play great, winning football. I’ll take the time to look at what I can do to make myself better which will ultimately make us a better team. I will be back on the field.”
Maier said Mitchell has thrown his support behind him, just as he’s done on and off the field since he entered the league.
“Bo is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. I think he’s a very misunderstood guy. He’s very competitive,” Maier said.
Winnipeg is coming off its first bye week of the season.
Linebacker Adam Bighill doesn’t expect big changes with Maier under centre.
“He might use his legs a little bit more than Bo, which you kind of see typically of younger guys,” Bighill said.
“Their system is really their identity and who they are … so we really don't expect too much different.”
The Bombers went into their break on a losing note after the Montreal Alouettes exited IG Field with a 20-17 overtime victory Aug. 11. That ended Winnipeg’s12-game home win streak and nixed their attempt to start a season with 10 straight wins since 1960.
Winnipeg has changes at receiver and on special teams.
Veteran pass catcher Greg Ellingson (foot) was put on the six-game injured list this week. He played the last game after missing the previous three. Greg McCrae will start in his place.
Returner Janarion Grant went on the one-game injured list. First-year defensive back Jamal Parker will return kickoffs, while starting halfback Nick Taylor will field punts for the first time in a pro game since 2013.
The Stampeders get running back Ka’Deem Carey and receiver Malik Henry back on the field.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (6-3) AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (9-1)
Thursday, IG FIELD
STARTER STREAK: Bombers QB Zach Collaros hasn’t lost consecutive starts since Aug. 2, 2018, a span covering 36 straight starts.
RARE ROLL: Winnipeg receiver Dalton Schoen has caught a TD pass in each of the last four games, the first for a Bombers player since Clarence Denmark hauled in a major in five straight games in 2016.
SWEEP WITHIN GRASP: Winnipeg has already clinched the season series with two victories over the Stamps. A third win would be their first 3-0 season-series sweep of Calgary since 1987.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2022.
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
