Rookie defensive back Fred Bennett wasted little time making an impression with the Stampeders, picking off a pair of passes in his pre-season debut on Sept. 15 against Edmonton.

His first regular-season pick, however, didn’t come until Week 16 at Winnipeg.

“I’m just thankful to finally get my first pick,” said Bennett, who despite his CFL rookie status has plenty of pro experience including a three-season stint with the NFL’s Houston Texans. “I was just happy to get one (Saturday) . . . or any other day.”

Bennett made sure to hang onto the ball after pilfering the pass from Blue Bombers quarterback Joey Elliott.

“This one is going in the trophy case back at home,” said South Carolina native.

Bennett wasn’t alone in taking the ball away from the Bombers on Saturday as Keon Raymond, Darrius Brooks and Eric Fraser also had interceptions and the Stamps added three forced fumbles and a turnover on downs.

The turnover-fest helped overcome a difficult second half for the Calgary offence against a stingy Winnipeg defence.

“As a football team,” said Bennett, “we’ve all got each others back — from player to player, offence to defence. The offence held it down in the first half and we struggled. Vice versa in the second half. That’s why they call it ‘team.’ It’s a special thing.

“We were not happy with our play in the first half. You saw that in how we came together in the second half, we just knew we had to clamp down. Guys were running around out there making plays.”

Calgary picked up a couple of sacks Saturday and easily could have had more as the Stamps applied constant pressure on the Bombers passers.

“All the credit goes out to our defensive line,” said Bennett. “They did a heckuva job today, allowed us on the back end to play free and make plays. It all works together — when they do their job, we can make plays and when we do our job, they can make plays.”

Saturday’s win allowed the Stamps to clinch a playoff spot and snap a two-game road losing streak. Calgary is now 4-4 away from McMahon Stadium.

“A key in football is being a tough road team,” said Bennett. “At home, you’ve got that advantage. On the road, it’s important to go into another team’s house and get a win.  Especially with a win like this, it can be big. Real big.”