Veteran pivot debuts for Red and White, replacing longtime starter Jake Maier, in 2024’s third instalment of The Battle of Alberta
Matt Shiltz was quick to rediscover his CFL touch after nearly a year away from the pivot position.
And his first pass? A touchdown toss over the top.
“It does kind of whet your appetite when you get a little taste of it,” said Shiltz, of his early success last Friday night at BC Place. “And you always want a little bit more.”
He’ll get more Saturday afternoon, as Shiltz steps into the starter’s role for the first time wearing Red and White.
For only the second time in 45 games — including playoffs — dating back to mid-2022 — somebody other than Jake Maier is stepping under centre to open a game for Calgary’s CFL squad.
That comes for the Stampeders (4-10-1) against the rival Edmonton Elks (5-11) in the Battle of Alberta — a square-off of two non-playoff sides — at McMahon Stadium (1 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary) for the team’s final regular-season home game of the campaign.
And that’s got Shiltz beaming.
“It’s going to be joyous,” said Shiltz, flashing an apt joyful grin Friday morning. “A little bit (of nerves). I kind of felt that last week, though, too, being able to go in there at the end of the game.”
Much of those butterflies likely had as much to do with questioning himself after not having handled the reins for almost exactly a calendar year as it did just simply being back at the controls.
Yeah … it had been a while since Shiltz last saw game action.
In fact, that came against the BC Lions for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 364 days ago, capping a season that saw him finish fifth among fulltime-ish helmsmen in QB efficiency (99%). As — really — a part-timer, he went 108-of-161 for 1,556 passing yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023.
“He’s been around the league a long time — all the way back (seven years ago) with Montreal,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, who unofficially gave the 6-foot-2, 210-lb. Shiltz the start earlier this week and stamped that decision Friday. “He can throw the ball down the field. He’s got a nice arm.
“He can run, for sure. I mean … he’s had that in his game ever since he got in the league. But he’s also going to make the throws that you need to make. So hopefully, he’s just excited and executes what we want to do and just is himself.”
The most important thing for the Stamps, even if Dickenson isn’t always going to highlight it, is avoiding the untimely turnovers — a too-many-times thing that has plagued Maier.
“Matt did pressure the line of scrimmage (last week) and forced (the Lions’ defence) to cover (receivers) longer and really nice-like scrambled and then stepped up and found Reggie (Begelton) over the top,” continued Dickenson, of Shiltz’s limited participation — two drives worth late — in the 32-15 loss. “It’s just one of those things that he had a little bit different outlook on things. And when you’re struggling, that’s not a bad thing.”
Of course, the struggling Stamps ride into Saturday winless in their last seven tilts.
That’s a bad thing, especially since it knocked them out of the playoff race for the first time in 20 years.
So they’re hoping for a little bit of good from the 31-year-old passer, who sports career CFL stats of 4,456 passing yards and 651 rushing yards with 24 TDs and 18 INTs.
“You know … it’s a little unfair,” said Dickenson, of Shiltz’s situation. “Because he hasn’t really been with us as far as practising a lot. He got hurt — unfortunate that he got rolled up on in practice. So he really hadn’t had any snaps until last week.
“But he’s ready to go.”
The wide smile on his mug certainly says so.
“It would be awesome (to beat the Elks),” said Shiltz, pronouncing he’s 100% healthy. “It’s the most important game because it’s the next game. And regardless of how the season is going or how it will go, we want to go out there and win.
“We’re professional athletes. We get paid to do it. But it’s a blessing to do it — to go out there to compete and win every day.”
As for his expectations for Saturday?
“Same expectations I have almost every day in preparation and in games,” Shiltz said. “Just go out there, compete my tail off, be the best leader I can be and try and glorify God when I’m on the field.”
“Good football — winning football,” added Dickenson, of the same expectations question. “I mean … I’m not necessarily saying our quarterback hasn’t been playing good football. Sometimes, it’s just one mistake here — that a different area of our team hasn’t done the job.
“Matt earned some time. We signed him for a reason, and he did play well at the end of the last game. Certainly not saying that the one position is just going to change all of our fortunes. But winning football means you execute the game plan, you take care of the football, you make plays with your legs and you make the throw when you need to make that throw.”
SHORT YARDAGE
Shiltz isn’t the only starting-roster change made by the Stamps for Saturday. WR Clark Barnes (knee) returns to his wideout position, and WR Cole Tucker lines up at a slot spot with WR Cam Echols (head) sidelined. That bumps WR Marken Michel to start the other wideout gig … Also in are RB Kylin Hill, WR Rysen John and LB Marquel Lee … Also out are DB Nick Statz and DL Anthony Federico.