A rested Stampeders squad is looking to continue a 12-year trend when they make the trip to Hamilton on Friday.

Since 2005, the Stamps are a perfect 15-0 following a regular-season bye.

One of the reasons the Stamps have enjoyed so much success in that situation, notes head coach Dave Dickenson, is that a bye week and a week off are not synonymous.

“I appreciate the work the coaches put in in an off week,” he says. “I mean, they’re not taking vacation, They’re working.

“We take pride that we scout ourselves, we find out what we need work on, where our deficiencies are.”

What’s more, any flaws that need to be addressed can be taught to a rejuvenated and eager group.

“Guys get back healthy and fresh,” adds defensive back Brandon Smith. “You are able to restart taking that week off away from football. Guys are refocused and ready to work for that first game back.”

If the chance to recharge is the upside of a by week, the potential downfall is interrupted momentum, especially with the Stamps riding a 10-game winning streak.

“I’ve been asked a lot of times on the bye week if it takes time to get the rust off,” says veteran fullback Rob Cote. “The answer is ‘No.’ It doesn’t feel like you left. A week sounds like a long time off but in reality, it goes by quick. Right away, you are focused on the next game and keeping a good thing going.”

With the second and final bye of the regular season now in the rear-view mirror, Cote says the Stamps are ready for the stretch run.

“It’s important to take a step back and refresh mentally just as much physically,” he remarks. “We have an important stretch of games so it’s crucial to take that break mentally so that you can come back and pour everything into it.”

Despite the long stretch of post-bye success – not to mention a 12-game winning streak against the Ticats – the Stamps aren’t taking anything for granted.

“We’ve had good success after a bye,” says Dickenson, “but each week is different.”

“We want to go out there and win every game regardless if it’s off a bye or not,” says Smith. “You can find streaks within any team and any game but we just go out and play hard. Whatever happen, happens and after the game we can always say we gave it our all.”

With files from Alex Medina