By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

The Calgary Stampeders are on a roll in the 2014 season, racking up statistical bests in numerous categories en route to a sparkling 10-1 record.

Along with the team, a couple of players have hit some personal benchmarks on the field.

During last Saturday’s thrilling comeback stunner against the Toronto Argonauts, receivers Brad Sinopoli and Sederrik Cunningham both recorded the first official receiving touchdowns of their CFL careers.

For Cunningham, it completed the TD trifecta as it gave him one rushing touchdown, one kick-return major and one receiving score, all in his rookie season with the Red and White.

“I’m just taking the opportunity and running with it,” says the speedy playmaker. “I’m blessed to be here. This team has been good for a long time and I’m just blessed to be part of a good organization and a good team. My experience has been great.”

Cunningham’s major came at the end of the first half with the home squad trailing by 26 points, having been surgically picked apart by Ricky Ray and the Boatmen.

Scoring right before the half seemed to give the Stampeders a boost and signaled a change in momentum for a thrilling second half.

“The way the football game is – or in any sport – it’s not over until they blow the final whistle,” says Cunningham.

“The second the play was called, I was pretty excited because it was my opportunity to catch a touchdown. Anyone can catch a touchdown on any play but I had kind of a good feeling about this one.

“I came up and saw the coverage, ran my route, and when I caught the ball I was like ‘Oh man, I got three or four people coming for me,’ so I just got the ball, accelerated and tried to dive before I got knocked out (of bounds). Thank God I didn’t get knocked out and was able to score the touchdown.”

That cued up a celebration from the high-energy receiver that caused a bit of a stir with fans, considering the home side was still trailing by a large margin at that point.

“I play the game with a lot of emotion,” says Cunningham. “And the fact that we were down 20-some points, it may not have been the best decision but at the same time, it’s the first half.

“I already apologized to some of the fans but I’m not going to stop playing with the same emotion, just try to be smarter about it.”