By Max Campbell                                                                                           
Stampeders.com 

Making a pair of crucial plays on special teams in Calgary’s come-from-behind victory over the Blue Bombers on Saturday evening was third-year Stampeder Adam Berger.

The Simon Fraser product first made his presence felt by stripping Winnipeg returner Troy Stoudermire of the football while covering a first-quarter punt.

Veteran long snapper Randy Chevrier recovered the fumble and the change of possession led to a 19-yard touchdown toss from Bo Levi Mitchell to WR Eric Rogers just three plays later.

“He tried to run to the field (side) and I kind of just kept running after him,” explained Berger of the momentum-changing turnover. “When he cut back, I just got my hand in and punched the ball out. I think Chevy was the one who picked it up. It was a good little jumpstart for us there.”

Nearly four minutes into the second quarter was when Berger struck again, this time as the edge rusher on a Lirim Hajrullahu punt. The Stamps’ fourth-round draft pick in 2012 managed to block the attempt, which subsequently resulted in a 10-yard scoop-and-score courtesy of Adam Thibault.

Although it was the outstretched arm of No. 21 that will be credited with the block, Berger was quick to compliment his supporting cast.

“That’s all (special teams coordinator Mark) Kilam and all of the other guys on the punt-return (team),” the Vancouver native remarked. “We all did our jobs and I came scot-free because everyone else crashed in. It was an easy play for me to make.”

Quick to compliment his standout performance was head coach and general manager John Hufnagel, who praised the significant impact and notable versatility of the six-foot, 207-lb. former high-school quarterback.

“He had a tremendous day on special teams,” Coach Huff offered. “We have a lot of dings in the defensive backfield, I don’t think anything is major, but Berger had to go in and play a little DB also — which he’s very capable of.”

The 26-25 triumph kept Calgary’s undefeated home record intact through three games and gave the Red and White a win in their first contest against a Western opponent in 2015.

“It was huge,” said Berger. “First place this early in the west – and we want to be first place at the end, not just the beginning – is a good start. And to win close games like that, that’s huge for us.”