And boy, did the Stamps DB unit step up to the challenge, helping lead Calgary to a 25-24 victory at McMahon Stadium.

Amongst them, CFL rookie Tyler Richardson, who entered the contest as a game time decision due to a groin injury he suffered at practice towards the end of the week.

Also listed as questionable was standout free-agent acquisition Demerio Houston, who was eventually added to the one-game injury list following warmups.

Which meant it was Richardson’s night at boundary corner for the third week in a row.

“I didn’t want to miss this one,” said Richardson, who did everything he could to get healthy enough to suit up come Sunday night.

And he was ready.

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The moment came with seconds left in the second quarter when Vernon Adams Jr. and Co. were looking to edge the Stamps before the half.

Flushed out of the pocket and chased down by Cameron Judge, Adams Jr. heaved up a pass looking for Ayden Eberhardt. Like a hawk pursuing its prey, Richardson plucked the floater out of the air for his first career CFL interception, ending the Lions chances to put points on the board.

“It feels amazing, honestly. It feels great,” reflected the young DB out of Cincinnati. “It was a very big play in a very big moment, we needed to get off the field right there or they were driving to go up at the half.

“I saw VA (Vernon Adams Jr.) rolling out and I read his eyes and saw the crosser coming from the other side of the field and just picked it up.”

THIS INTERCEPTION @calstampeders @CFL pic.twitter.com/VK45sUid2x

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 22, 2024

The DB group stepped up big again when Kobe Williams, who also entered the tilt as a game-time decision, jumped a ball intended for Justin McInnis with minutes left in the final frame, halting the Lions chances at a game-winning drive and essentially sealing the victory for Calgary.

The Stamps secondary held the Lions air attack to 196 passing yards, their lowest mark of the 2024 campaign. Their second-lowest total also came against Calgary when the division rivals met in Vancouver in Week 2 and the Red and White held Adams Jr. to 277 yards through the air.

Adams Jr.’s previous totals include 451 against Saskatchewan, 383 against Hamilton, 331 against Edmonton, 398 against Winnipeg, and 363 against Toronto.

JUMP THE ROUTE

Kobe Williams reads the play and makes the INT to get his offence back on the field!#CFLGameday on TSN & CBSSN
: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com/GbHdT5mZ24

— CFL (@CFL) July 22, 2024

“This is huge for the DB group,” said Richardson. “It’s a monumental moment for us because it just shows our depth. We can come in and compete at the highest level against some of the best quarterbacks in this league, so I’m just proud of our guys stepping up every week.

“I had to step up, Spoon (Demerio Houston) is still out, and Kobe (Williams) was still a game time decision and he had to step up and play. As a DB unit we held VA to 196 yards, and not many other units are doing that so I’m just proud of our guys.

“We just have to keep building off of this.”

The group’s next test comes quickly when the club heads eastbound to the Nation’s Capital to take on Dru Brown and the Redblacks this Friday.