By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

Days later, the smile on Quinn Smith’s face after recording his first professional sack has yet to leave.

In a gritty game Saturday night against the BC Lions, the Stampeders rushed quarterback John Beck, flushing him out of the pocket and eventually dropping him for a loss.

“The quarterback held on to the ball a really long time,” says Smith, reliving the experience. “And (Freddie) Bishop got a great rush off the edge and the quarterback scrambled right into my arms.

“I didn’t even know I got a sack at first because the quarterback was on the run and I thought he might have got across the line of scrimmage. But we had great coverage, so the quarterback couldn’t throw the ball and we had a great rush from both our ends. So the quarterback started to scramble and I was lucky enough to be right there to tackle him.”

Through eight games in his rookie season, Smith has racked up six tackles, including two for a loss and his sack Saturday night.

Smith was drafted by the Stamps out of Concordia in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft. He was highly coveted, not just for his defensive game but also his versatility having spent time playing offensive guard at Concordia before his senior year.

Having a prospect that can play both sides of the ball gives the Stampeders a little added measure of depth at a two-for-one discount.

Although he admits the jump from college ranks to the pros wasn’t easy, Smith is glad to have a team rife with mentors to help with the transition.

He credits many of the veterans on the D-line for helping him to learn the important details of on-field play and grasping a complicated playbook.

Having Concordia alumnus Rene Paredes on the team has been a bonus for Smith who also speaks highly of defensive line coach DeVone Claybrooks and linebacker Yannick Carter – Smith’s roommate – for teaching him how to be a pro on and off the field.

“I just get up every day come to the stadium and feel like I’m a part of a family. I work hard and just try to do the best I can. ” says Smith.

With his first sack under his belt, Smith now looks forward to adding to that total when the Red and White visit Mosaic Stadium to square off against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their legion of green fanatics.

Despite the Riders being down their starting QB and offensive captain in Darian Durant, Smith and his teammates know the defending Grey Cup champs will still be a handful and will make you pay if you take them lightly.

“They’re a big running team,” says Smith, knowing he’ll have to go up against the two-headed monster of Riders running backs in Jerome Messam and Anthony Allen.

“They like to double-team the nose so I have to be prepared,” says Smith. “It’s going to be a really physical game, it’s going to be loud so we have to make sure it doesn’t become a roller-coaster ride, not let it get too high or too low, just keep focused all game.”

In his rookie CFL season, this game has been one Smith has had circled on the calendar if, for nothing else, to soak in one of the most hostile experiences in the CFL.

“I’ve never been to Saskatchewan before and I hear it’s a crazy atmosphere,” he said, “so yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

With any luck, Smith and his linemates will be able to lower the volume and a quarterback or two on Friday night at Mosaic as the Stampeders hop to put even more distance between them and their West Division rivals in the standings.