By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com    

Despite Calgary suffering a narrow defeat at the friendly confines of McMahon Stadium for just the second time all season, defensive lineman Brandon Jordan managed to record five tackles and recovered a fumble in arguably his finest performance to date since arriving to the CFL in 2012 by way of the BC Lions.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers held on for an 18-13 victory on Saturday afternoon, and the University of Illinois alum was quick to identify the missing ingredient in Calgary’s subpar performance.

 “We didn’t finish,” said the sombre Houston native, who played his third game in Red and White. “That’s the marquee thing. I’m fairly new to the team, but with such a special season they’ve built, it’s finishing — not only this game, but the season.”

With a career-high in tackles and his first fumble recovery since coming north of the border, Jordan pointed to the entire defensive unit as the reason for his stellar outing.

“That’s our defensive coordinator (Rich Stubler) putting us in good positions to make plays,” Jordan noted. “We’re a machine and each piece (of the defence) has their part. When it’s time for that piston to fire, that piston has got to fire. What I told the guys when I first came here was that I’m just here to help.”

The former Indoor Football League star, who also played along the offensive line all throughout college, is more than willing to continue his role as a backup moving forward regardless of his impressive numbers in the Week 19 matchup.

“I’m not out there to prove anything and, like I said, it’s all about the help,” offered No. 92. “I’m an additional part to the team, so if I can just take a backseat ride and pitch in whenever I can, I will appreciate it.”

With snow falling steadily from pre-game warm-ups to the final whistle, Jordan hopes the Stamps will be better prepared for winter conditions should the West Final present similar circumstances.

“From what I hear, the marquee thing is the weather is the pitfall for the situation,” he said. “The weather played a big part, but it shouldn’t limit us. This was a good test for us so that in three weeks, we know what to do.”