Jerome Messam was a man on a mission throughout Friday night’s triumph over the Bombers.

After a disappointing performance in the run game last week in BC, with Messam picking up 16 yards on just seven carries, the 31-year-old tailback had his way with the Winnipeg defence from beginning to end in Calgary’s 2016 home-opener.

Totaling 16 carries for 137 yards, the six-foot-three, 263-lb. wrecking ball credited the entire offensive unit for its all-around performance. The Stamps posted 516 yards on offence while also dominating time of possession.

“I just think we were very balanced – we ran (and) we passed,” Messam explained. “We executed well and we just stuck with the game plan. We trusted our offensive line, Bo (Levi Mitchell) played a great game and I think being balanced was the biggest key.”

Highlighting the evening for the former Graceland star was a 53-yard rumble with just under six minutes to go in the third quarter before defensive back Kevin Fogg made a desperation shoestring tackle.

Jerome Messam during the Stamps’ home-opener on July 1, 2016 (Photo by David Moll)

Messam was also going toe-to-toe with fellow Canadian running back Andrew Harris, a player he always looks to best whenever the two former CFL all-stars find themselves on the opposite sideline.

“It was just a great job by the offensive line and I was definitely motivated,” offered Messam, who broke into the league with the Lions. “Anytime I’m playing against the other No. 33, I kind of want to do my thing (even more). It was a tough week for us last week running the ball so we felt like we had something to prove. I think Tory (Harrison) played a great game as well.”

Possessing a 29-point advantage before a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns from the Blue and Gold got the visitors to within two converted majors, the Stamps benefitted from an ample advantage on the scoreboard.

“It was good to play with a lead,” the Brampton, Ont., product remarked in the midst of post-game fireworks commemorating our country’s 149th birthday. “We could open up the playbook a little bit more.”

With a trip out east to Ottawa next up on the schedule, Messam will look to continue his dominant play next Friday against the a 2-0 RedBlacks squad that has conceded an average of just 60.5 rushing yards through two weeks.