News

Henry Burris always said he was a quick healer — but this quick?

The Calgary Stampeders' quarterback, who less than a month ago was helped to the sidelines with a dislocated left shoulder, was back in action Sunday, and he looked good. In fact, he looked as good as he has at any point in this CFL season.

Facing the East Division-leading Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Burris completed 25 of 35 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-25 win that was celebrated here — but not so much in Regina.

After defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Sunday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders needed a loss by Calgary to clinch second place in the West and host their first playoff game in 19 years. Instead, the Stampeders jumped on Winnipeg early and kept piling on, thanks to rejuvenated Burris, who was injured in Hamilton on Sept. 21.

"Did I picture this day [returning from what could have been a season-ending injury]?" Burris said. "Definitely. … As soon as I get the MRI back and it showed there was no tearing, I knew then I was good to go. I felt optimistic."

Burris had a strong week of practices in preparation for Winnipeg, but the Calgary coaches were insistent that he feel good in the pregame warm-up before giving the green light. After a few passes, Burris said he was ready to go the distance.

"The intent was for him to play," head coach Tim Higgins said. "[Burris] played within the structure we set up. We moved the pocket and our offensive line did an outstanding job."

Burris's first pass of the game was a 32-yard completion to receiver Brett Ralph, who had eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Minutes later, slotback Jeremaine Copeland hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass to put Calgary ahead 7-0.

By the time the fourth quarter began, Burris had found Ken-Yon Rambo (12 yards), Ryan Thelwell (70 yards) and Copeland again (six yards) for touchdowns. His fifth scoring toss was his 31st of the season, a career best.

So how did Burris get himself back on the field so quickly?

"You say your prayers, take your vitamins and work out," he said. "I was in here [working out] at 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day. Doing pushups after one week, it prepared me for this game."

The Bombers, whose record dropped to 8-6-1, started slowly, despite boasting one of the league's most explosive offences. Calgary's defence held them in check until the third quarter when quarterback Kevin Glenn delivered a 42-yard room-service pass to venerable Milt Stegall.

Terrence Edwards and Charles Roberts had Winnipeg's other touchdowns. Edwards's score got the Bombers within hailing distance, 31-25, before Burris engineered one final drive to the delight of the 30,897 at McMahon Stadium.

"It was easy for me today," Burris said of his performance. "I was protected and we made some adjustments and get the ball to the playmakers. … It was important for us to make a statement to a certain point — that this team isn't finished."

The Bombers lost starting cornerback Juran Bolden to an apparent back injury in the first half and there was no update on his condition after the game. Without Bolden, Winnipeg had to rejig its secondary and not for the better.

"We know what we did wrong and we know what we have to do to get better," Bombers head coach Doug Berry said. "That's what we'll be working on."

The Stampeders, 7-7-1, will play at Winnipeg on Friday before finishing the regular season against the Montreal Alouettes and in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions. What's likely now is that the 'Riders will host the Western semi-final against Calgary, which has imploded in the past two postseasons at home.

As one team insider acknowledged, it might be better for the Stampeders to play on the road, especially now that Burris is back in the saddle and healed, to boot.