Edmonton Eskimos Game Notes
Published on June 25, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Edmonton Elks News Release
Maybe it's a good thing the Eskimos haven't had much time to think about their opening night blowout loss to Montreal. With the sting of a 34-16 defeat still fresh, it's back to work against a Calgary team that has a defence capable of winning games all on it's own.
Offence: The Esks need to establish the ground game, to set up the pass. Against the Als, the duo of Ray and Hendricks was sacked 5 times. Calgary's D â led by Joe Fleming who had three sacks in their opener â will bring the heat early and often, so Edmonton's O-line needs to be sharper. Terry Vaughn (8 receptions for 118 yds, 1 TD) was excellent and Rick Walters (6 catches for 61 yds) was solid, but Edmonton has to get more out of it's other receivers, notably Ed Hervey and Jason Tucker.
Defence: Special Teams: This was Edmonton's Achilles heel against Montreal. This area more than any other needs to be addressed in order to beat the Stamps.
Discipline: 22 penalties for 160 yards, including 4 unnecessary roughness. The Esks have to keep their emotions in check, which can be hard when they're playing Calgary.
Edmonton vs Calgary
Lifetime:(since 1949) 110 Wins, 66 Losses, 4 Ties
Last Meeting: September 6, 2002 @ Edmonton. Edmonton 45 â Calgary 11. Jason Tucker and John Avery each had a pair of TDs and Sean Fleming hit 5 FGs to lead Edmonton to it's romp over Calgary in the Labour Day Rematch. Ricky Ray was 25-38 for 366 yards and 3 TDs.
Last 10 meetings: (since 2000) Edmonton has 8 wins, 2 losses.
Coaches: Higgins vs. Barker 0-0-0
Connections
Former Eskimos now with Calgary: David Heasman, Marcus Crandell, Scott Deibert, Brock Balog,
Former Stampeders now with Edmonton: Terry Vaughn, Roger Reinson, Bruce Beaton, Tom Higgins,
Week 1 vs. Montreal â June 21
A Grey Cup rematch to open the Eskimos season and the two heavyweights seemed content to jab and counterpunch in the early going. Edmonton caught a break midway through the first quarter when Donta Greene's 62 yard punt return was called back on an illegal block . Montreal's Matt Kellett hit a 34 yard field goal, but Montreal's drive was kept alive when Malcolm Frank was called for roughing the kicker. Kellett hit on a 20 yard FG to cap off a 10 play, 64 yard drive, and Montreal jumped out to a 3-0 lead late in the first. Calvillo hit his favorite target Ben Cahoon on an 18 yard strike to put the Als up 10-0 to close out the first.
2nd Quarter: At 3:19 of the second Edmonton capped a 6 play 63 yard drive with a Ricky Ray's 25 TD strike to Terry Vaughn. Mtl 10-Edm 7. The Esks picked up a pair of points on a safety touch. The Als answered back with Thunder Graham's 1 yd plunge to close out the first half. Kellet convert good. Half-time score: Mtl 17 â Edm 9
3rd Quarter: Montreal put another 6 points on the board with Bruno Heppell's 1 yd run at 9:11 to cap off a 7 play â 66 yd series. Kellett convert good. Mtl 24 â Edm 9. The Als padded the lead with Kellett's 20 yard FG at 13:50.Mtl 27 â Edm 9.
4th Quarter: The Als opened the fourth with an 8 play drive that was capped off by Graham's 3 yd run at 4:03 and that was all Montreal needed. Edmonton replied with a Ray to Tucker 3 yd TD pass at 8:10 to close out the scoring. Fleming convert good.
Final Score: Montreal 34 â Edmonton 16
Attendance: 30, 109
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