Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 30

1 nn i i D2 The Edmonton Journal, Saturday, August 3, 1 996 nagjuD Cndleirs DkDirog Itoir wdgu Eskimos can't take victory over Ottawa for 'granted1 NORM COWLEY Journal Football Writer Ktckofh 7:30 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium. tr AS 'orl i GT-3 Ticket deal: About 4,500 tickets for tonight's game were given to the city's new army personnel and their families. if Jl JSs I- A Rick MacWilliam, The Journal for tonight's game against the Eskimos tonight at Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton Here are several reasons why the Edmonton Eskimos could take a victory' over the Ottawa Rough Riders for granted tonight: Ottawa has lost a club-record 15 road games in a row, The Riders haven't won a game outside Ontario since Oct. 21, 1990, and haven't won at Commonwealth Stadium since Aug.

26, 1983, The Esks smashed the Riders 63-3 here last year the most lopsided defeat in Ottaw a's history, and Edmonton won the first half of the home-and-home series 34-18 only 10 days ago at Ottawa. Now, here are some reasons why the Eskimos can't afford to overlook the Riders, a team with its collective back to the wall after a 1-4 start: "No games can be taken for granted," said Eskimos wide receiver Nick Mazzoli, who returns to the lineup after missing the last two games with a pulled hamstring. "Who expected Winnipeg to beat Calgary the other day?" "If the favorite team always wins, there's no need to play the game," offered Edmonton head coach Ron Lancaster. "They don't have to improve a whole lot to beat us or anybody else. Just give David Archer some time and execute." The Riders are desperate for a win.

"Obviously, the franchise situation with the fans taking the wait-and-see attitude, there's a lot of urgency for a lot of reasons," said Ottawa receiver James Ellingson. "Even (team president) Jim Durrell coming in and meeting with us this week spoke volumes as far as where this team is at and how badly we need a win. We all got a sense that management finally has an off-field plan in place to take some strides "It's a tough race out west, especially with the teams still grouped together pretty close," Wruck added. "The next month or so is probably going to separate the men from the boys. Hopefully, we'll find ourselves at the top of that bunch." Asked if he thought a .500 record during the upcoming series of games would be sufficient for the Eskimos, Wruck pointed out that the team's goal is to win every game.

"We've got to do a lot better than to split our games because our toughest competition in Calgary and Winnipeg are going to do better than that so we've got to look at winning 75 to 80 per cent of our games to stay with them," he said, trying to take a realistic viewpoint. "If we do that, we're in the running and well set up for the playoffs." Lancaster is well aware that the Eskimos have had an easy schedule to date with the exception of a five-day turn-around between games last month and a second five-day turn-around before next week's game at Toronto. "It's almost like we've had too much time," he said. While Lancaster doesn't like looking any further down the road than the next game, he is aware of the importance of tonight's game as far as affecting the final standings. "Every game we let slip away is going to put more pressure on us in games down the road," he said.

"That's why we keep reminding everybody that games in July and August are just as important as the games in October. A lot of times, how much pressure there is in October is determined by how well you play now." Allen paces Lions to first win of season But Hamilton quarterback Anthony Calvillo's 27-yard touchdown pass to Jason Phillips and a safety conceded by Lions' punter Lui Passaglia cut Hamilton's deficit to 30-25 with 5:24 remaining. Calvillo drove Hamilton to the B.C. 6, but time expired before he could throw into the end zone, much to the dismay of a boisterous Ivor Wynne Stadium gathering of 20,551. But that earned Lions' coach Joe Paopao a Gatorade shower for his first CFL victory.

"We brought in some guys to make a difference and it paid off," he said. None bigger than Allen. "Damon has brought a calming Cloudy, cool, scattered showers. High 19, Low 10. TV: TSN (local blackout).

Radio: 630 CHED While the Rough Riders have beaten the tskimos three times in Ottawa during the 1990s, they haven't won in Edmonton since 1983. The Esks hold a 29-20-2 advantage in the lifetime series. For Ottawa to win, the Riders will have to get a better performance out or star quarterback David Archer than he delivered in last week's 34-1 8 loss at Frank Clair Stadium. They're going to go as far as David Archer is going to carry them," said Edmonton head coach Ron Lancaster. For Edmonton to sweep the home-and-home series, the Eskimos will need the defence to turn in another strong effort while quarterback Danny McManus and the offence have to pick up where they left off last week.

McManus, who struggled in the first half, twice marched the Eskimos down the field in the fourth quarter to put a three-point game out of reach. That helped us with our confid-nece," said McManus. Another thing that would help the Esks' is if they can re-establish their running game behind workhorse Eric Blount, who has been bothered by a sore ankle the last two weeks. The Riders have added rush-end Dave Harper, wide receivers Eddie Britton and Willie Hinchcliffe, and backup offensive lineman Ante Sko-rput, who is making his CFL debut. Ottawa had been trying to strengthen the offensive line with the additions of Americans Richard Saenz and Uzooma Okeke last week but lost import Robert Stevenson with a pulled muscle in his back during th 3 pre-game warm-up.

Stevenson is still out and right tackle Chris Burns; will play despite hurting his shoulder in practice. The Esks, who were a Canadian player short in three of their first five games, also made four changes. Receivers Darren Flutie (ribs) and Nick Mazzoli (hamstring) returned from the injured list, kicker Sean Fleming is back from the NFL, and 1 995 draft pick Derek Sholdice is making his CFL debut as a backup offensive lineman with Chris Green sidelined by hemorrhoids. Passing Rushing Scoring Thrills 0 2 4 6 8 10 When the Eskimos returned home from Ottawa last week, assistant coach Jim Sandusky's wife, Tami, told punter Glenn Harper that his wife Kristi had given birth to their fourth child. But Tami Sandusky wouldn't tell him whether it was a boy or a girl just the baby's weight: eight pounds, nine ounces.

Once I heard that, I kind of knew," said Harper, whose new son is named Daniel Reed. "It had to have an 'EE' in it," he quipped. Former Eskimos' offensive line man Roger Nelson, whose son Mark was an assistant coach with the Esks from 1 992 to 1 994, passed away last week. Nelson played 13 seasons with the Eskimos from '54 to '67 and was named to the CFL's all-time all-star team in 1993. He was also elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and placed on the Eskimos Wall of Fame in 1987.

Ex-Esks head coach Pop Ivy will deliver the eulogy next week at a church in Tulsa, Okla. Eskimos slotback Eddie Brown, who turns 30 on Tuesday, needs 147 receiving yards to reach the yard mark in his career. Ottawa Rough Riders practise Friday and to be honest with the public and, hopefully, that'll translate on the field." And, after playing Ottawa, Edmonton's schedule takes on the appearance of a series of David vs. Goliath matches at Toronto (5-1), vs. Saskatchewan (2-3), vs.

Hamilton (4-1), at Calgary (4-1), vs. Calgary, at Hamilton and at Winnipeg (3-3). "This will be a very important game for us," said Edmonton linebacker Larry Wruck. "It's going to get interesting from here on in, that's for sure, so we need to win to improve our record before going into a stretch like that." A win tonight would give Edmonton a record of 4-2, good enough for second place in the Western Division, but it's also possible that the Esks could go 1-6 in the next seven games. year veteran, who joined the Lions as a free agent less than two weeks ago after missing the first four weeks of the season waiting for his phone to ring.

"What has allowed me to come in and learn the offence as fast as I have is my experience and the confidence I have in my abilities." B.C. Allen, the MVP of Edmonton's 1993 Grey Cup championship, to provide stability and leadership for its offence. And he did exactly that, completing 17 of 30 passes for 211 yards in staking the Lions to a 20-16 half-time lead and a seemingly safe 30-16 fourth-quarter advantage. Vfr Benevolent of Alberta GAKIIISOIV DAY Congratulations to: Gino Chies of Deslauriers St. Albert Hilde Percheson of 21 Avenue, Edmonton Arthur Beliveau of 1 36 Avenue, Edmonton JoAnn Cazakoff of 1 1 3 Street, Edmonton 7nese folks have each won a pair of tickets to tonight's game featuring our Eskimos vs Ottawa.

They also win a ride around the stadium at half time in a Bison, an armored personnel carrier. a ECONOMIC jj DEVELOPMENT 9 EDMONTON "Journal CUUSM II effect to our offence," said Paopao. "Guys really believe that he's a proven winner, a Grey Cup winner and he's done it all. "The guy's magical." Hamilton (4-2) played much of the contest with Calvillo at quarterback. Starter Matt Dunigan suffered a concussion after being steam-rolled by Lions' defensive halfback Reggie Carthon in the first quarter.

Mike Trevethan, with two, and Sean Millington had the Lions' touchdowns. Passaglia booted three converts and three field goals. Mac Cody had Hamilton's other touchdown. Paul Osbaldiston had two field goals and three converts. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDMONTON The Canadian Press Hamilton It didn't take Damon Allen long to justify the B.C.

Lions' faith in him. Allen, playing just his second game with B.C., LIONS 30 TICATS 25 threw three touchdown passes to earn the Lions (1-5) their first win of the season Friday, a 30-25 decision over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It also avenged a 28-24 loss to Hamilton last Saturday at B.C. Place in Allen's Lions debut. "I feel comfortable," said the 12- Rodman back with Bulls The Associated Press Chicago Dennis Rodman, the NBA rebounding leader who threatened to take his drag-and-dye-job act out of basketball, decided Friday to return to Chicago next season.

Rodman agreed to a one-year contract with the NBA champions, agent Dwight Manley said. Rodman joined Michael Jordan and coach Phil Jackson in returning to the Bulls. Manley said the deal was worth significantly more than the $6 million the Bulls had offered and slightly less than the $10 million Rodman had said he would need to preclude retirement. Rodman needs to pass a physical before he signs the contract on Sunday, Manley said. "We're done," Manley said.

"He's ecstatic to be back in Chicago. Both sides compromised and both sides are very happy." Team officials would not comment. Rodman, 35, averaged 14.9 boards last season while winning his fifth straight rebounding championship. He said he was insulted by the Bulls' initial offers of $5 million and $6 million, and threatened to retire unless he got more. Manley had said Rodman, who made $2.5 million last season, always wanted to return to Chicago and keep intact the team that last season set an NBA record with a 72-10 regular-season mark.

Rodman's flamboyant stvle. including his appearance in drag while signing copies of his book, his ever-changing hair color and postgame ritual of tossing his jersey to a fan, endeared him to this Bulls-crazy city. "o) uuu UU UU infirm ESKIMOS vs OTTAWA Aug. Commonwealth Stadium WELCOME! THE ARMY TO EDMOM OX Army personnel and their families have been provided with tickets to this football game courtesy of The Edmonton Journal, Economic Development Edmonton and the Edmonton Eskimos. Garrison Day gives you an opportunity to welcome these folks to our city.

Tickets available at the Eskimo ticket office or at the gate on game day. t-r" Journal There's nothing like watching the Eskimos win a game! If you want another winning combination take ETS Park'n Ride to the game. Buses operate from 5 locations with free parking at each site. Buses travel non-stop from each site to Commonwealth Stadium. UU Davies City Lot 86 Street and 61 Avenue Starts 6:15 p.m.

Calder City Lot 1 24 Sheet and 124 Avenue Starts 6:15 p.m. Southgate Shopping Centre 1 1 1 Street and Whitcmud Drive Starts 6:05 p.m. Burns City Lot 70 Street and 1 2 1 Avenue Starts 6:05 p.m. I ryTLl Get in the game! Mayficld Inn 1 09 Avenue and 1 Starts 6:05 p.m. 66A Street II lllllll-iii Edmonton Transit System junki 496-1600 Service starts 75 minutes prior to game time from Davies and Calder locations.

Service starts 85 minutes prior lo game lime from Southgate, Burns Lot and Mayfield Inn locations. Park'n Ride Fares: Adult Seniors 1 6 to 1 5 years 1 Under 6 with fare paying passenger FREE; Adult Transit Ticket plus 40 cents; Child Transit Ticket plus 20 cents. Transit Transfers, Monthly Fusses (ETS, St. Albert, Sherwood Park), Day Passes and Annual Senior Passes are not accepted as fare payment. For more information call BusLink 496-1 6(X)..