By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

First-year Stampeder DB Josh Bell picked off Ticats QB Jeremiah Masoli in his own end zone during the second quarter of Friday night’s matchup with Hamilton, thus preventing the visitors from regaining the lead with the score tied up at three apiece. It was Bell’s first interception of the 2014 campaign and the second of his CFL career since entering the league with the BC Lions in 2012. 

“The D-line didn’t give him too much time so he had to throw it up,” Bell said after the game. “I think he (Masoli) was looking for me to jump and be aggressive on the out-route. He just threw the ball up and I played the ball the entire time.”

Bell was also forced to move from his starting position at safety and fill in for DB Buddy Jackson at cornerback when the Florida native left the game with a hamstring injury just minutes the interception. However, Bell felt confident and prepared when the adjustment was made as he has gained valuable experience at wide side corner every day on the practice field.

“We rotate in practice all the time, so everybody’s ready to play every position,” he says.

Although the Calgary defence has surrendered only one touchdown through three games, with the lone major coming on the final play from scrimmage in the Week 1 victory over the visiting Alouettes, Bell acknowledges there is still room for improvement going forward.

“Everybody outside thinks we’re playing excellently,” explained the Baylor alum. “We’re playing good football, but we’ve got a long way to go.” 

The Red and White travel north to take on an unbeaten Edmonton squad on Thursday night, which will be the first of three meetings this year between the longtime Alberta rivals. With only four full days to prepare before taking on the Esks, Bell is up for the challenge of facing an unbeaten team with a short week ahead.

“We had a short week last week,” he says. “It’s football. It’s that simple. We’ve just got to go out there and play football.”