ItB次元官网网址檚 shaping up to be quite a finish in the West Division.

Just four points separate second from fifth in the conference standings heading into the final third of the regular season. The Calgary Stampeders (10-2) are first, four points ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5).

The Edmonton Eskimos (7-6) are third, just two points ahead of both the B.C. Lions (6-6) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-7).

Edmonton and Winnipeg face each other twice down the stretch, including Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium. TheyB次元官网网址檒l square off again Nov. 3 in Alberta.

The Bombers will also meet Calgary and Saskatchewan as well as Ottawa. The Lions, with a game in hand on Winnipeg, will play West Division rivals four times B次元官网网址� Calgary twice, Edmonton and Saskatchewan B次元官网网址� in addition to the Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts.

EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 other contests are versus Saskatchewan, B.C. and Ottawa.

The Riders visit the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday before finishing their regular season with four division games.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 also a race for first in the East Division. Ottawa (8-5) holds down top spot with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-7) four points behind. Toronto (3-9) and Montreal (3-10) are tied for third and both need a miracle to make the playoffs as theyB次元官网网址檙e three wins behind both B.C. and Winnipeg in the crossover scenario.

Hamilton hosts B.C. on Saturday after losing 35-32 in Vancouver last weekend. Then the Ticats finish their regular season against Eastern rivals B次元官网网址� including a crucial home-and-home with Ottawa Oct. 19 and Oct. 27.

Ottawa also plays Toronto with contests against Winnipeg and Edmonton as well.

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NO SLOWING DOWN:

Veteran running back Marcus Thigpen had an 82-yard touchdown run in SaskatchewanB次元官网网址檚 30-29 road win over Toronto on Saturday night, his third TD this season covering 80 or more yards.

The 32-year-old Thigpen also had a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown in a 30-25 loss to Ottawa on Sept. 15 and an 80-yard TD run July 20 in a 31-20 victory over Hamilton.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what IB次元官网网址檝e been known for over the years, my speed,B次元官网网址� Thigpen said. B次元官网网址淭he offensive line is blocking well for us, the holes are big and once I get to the second level I feel like thereB次元官网网址檚 nobody that can catch me.B次元官网网址�

The five-foot-nine, 195-pound dynamo has spent time with eight NFL clubs (twice with both Buffalo and Miami) and three CFL teams (Hamilton, second tenure with Saskatchewan) since B次元官网网址�09. HeB次元官网网址檚 excelled as a receiver, running back and kick returner.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a testament to the way I work,B次元官网网址� said Thigpen, a Detroit native. B次元官网网址淚 work out every single day, I donB次元官网网址檛 take any days off.

B次元官网网址淚 make sure I keep my body in shape, I eat right. I just do things the right way.B次元官网网址�

Thigpen has scored 23 career TDs B次元官网网址� NFL and CFL B次元官网网址� five different ways. Six have come as a receiver, eight on the ground, three via kickoffs, three on punts and another three on missed field goals.

Thigpen has rushed for 383 yards on 43 carries this season (8.9-yard average). HeB次元官网网址檚 defying the conventional wisdom that pro running backs start losing effectiveness after turning 30.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really about your mind, your will, what you want to get accomplished,B次元官网网址� Thigpen said. B次元官网网址淚f you take care of your body and have never had any serious injuries, I feel like you can play this game for a while.B次元官网网址�

Chris Jones, the Riders head coach/GM, wasnB次元官网网址檛 surprised with ThigpenB次元官网网址檚 big-play ability.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a very explosive player,B次元官网网址� Jones said. B次元官网网址淗e can play a lot of different positions and he can break tackles.

B次元官网网址淐ertainly when he gets into the open field thereB次元官网网址檚 very few people who can run him down.B次元官网网址�

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JOHNNY FOOTBALL:

It was an improved outing for Johnny Manziel, but heB次元官网网址檚 still chasing his first win and TD pass as a CFL starter.

The former Heisman Trophy winner completed 18-of-25 passes for 212 yards in MontrealB次元官网网址檚 31-14 loss to Winnipeg on Friday night. After throwing four interceptions in his first CFL start, Manziel has surrendered just one, that coming against the Bombers.

As a starter, Manziel has completed 45-of-71 passes (63.4 per cent) for 484 yards. HeB次元官网网址檚 also rushed 11 times for 76 yards and had a 21-yard catch versus Winnipeg.

But Manziel is 0-3 as a CFL starter with no touchdown passes. Montreal hosts Saskatchewan on Sunday afternoon.

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RECORD PACE:

Rookie Lewis Ward is on a record roll.

Ward booted seven field goals in OttawaB次元官网网址檚 28-15 win over Edmonton on Saturday. HeB次元官网网址檚 made 37 straight, breaking the previous CFL single-season mark of 32 set by CalgaryB次元官网网址檚 Rene Paredes.

Paredes still holds the league record for most consecutive field goals over two seasons (39).

Ward, a former Ottawa Gee-Gee, has been automatic since making 3-of-4 attempts in OttawaB次元官网网址檚 season-opening 40-17 win over Saskatchewan. The miss was from 48 yards out.

Overall, Ward has made 40-of-41 attempts. Ottawa (8-5) is off until Oct. 5 when hosts Winnipeg.

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SECOND-GUESSING:

Hamilton has become a playoff contender under head coach June Jones, but heB次元官网网址檚 receiving plenty of criticism for a late decision in the TicatsB次元官网网址� 35-32 overtime loss Saturday night to B.C.

Hamilton led 28-21 with just under a minute remaining in regulation when Jones had Lirim Hajrullahu punt for the single rather than try a 44-yard field goal. A successful boot wouldB次元官网网址檝e made it a two-possession game.

Hajrullahu had missed from 42 yards in the first half but made kicks of 50 and 47 yards in the second half. His single put Hamilton ahead 29-21, but Jonathon Jennings drove B.C. 59 yards, hitting Bryan Burnham on a 20-yard TD and two-point conversion to force overtime.

B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Ty Long hit the game-winning field goal in the second extra session to cement the victory.

Hamilton hosts B.C. on Saturday afternoon.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

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