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If anyone’s searching for reasons to feel optimistic about the way this Stamps team will look down the stretch, Monday provided more than a few.

“We were trying to change angles, we weren’t just running inside the tackles,” Dickenson said about the run-game. We were all over the place. If we can do that and (it) makes us a little bit tougher to stop, so we’re not so predictable.”

EXPLANATION

Throughout the game, the Stampeders held up white placards on the sideline.

Teams do that in college football to disguise play-calls, but Dickenson insisted that wasn’t the case.

Here is how that exchange went.

“We were just basically trying to shade our guys so we didn’t get sunburned, that’s what we do,” Dickenson said.

“Was it particularly sunny?” asked this reporter.

“I should have worn sunscreen, yes,” Dickenson replied. “Any other questions?”

Whether you choose to believe Dickenson or not is entirely up to you.

GOT ONE

Because Mitchell returned to the lineup and there were a couple major performances by offensive stars, the way the Stampeders’ defence and special teams units played may get overshadowed a bit.

That shouldn’t happen.

The defence was exceptional and did not allow a single touchdown while limiting the Eskimos to 271 combined offensive yards, while the special teams group was strong in its tackling and Terry Williams was his usual, dangerous self in the return game.

The defensive highlight might have been Royce Metchie getting the first interception of his career, and fellow defensive back DaShaun Amos said his teammates lost their minds when Metchie came down with the ball.

Unfortunately, Metchie also had a second opportunity for an interception and it bounced off his head.

Don’t expect the Stamps to let him forget it anytime soon.

“He’s always in the right spot in practice and he’s been there in games, as well,” Mitchell said about Metchie. “He’s a worker, too. He’s one of the most fun guys to watch at practice, but we’re all going to give him s— for that second one going off his face. Even though the first one was great, we’ve got to give him crap for that second one.”

daustin@postmedia.com

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