Jamar Wall's pick-six was crucial to Calgary's comeback Saturday, a Stampeders' trend (video)

One recurring theme this CFL season has been that you can never count the Calgary Stampeders out. Despite numerous injuries to stars such as RB Jon Cornish and QB Bo Levi Mitchell, plus their receiving corps and offensive line, the Stamps have put up a league-best 14-2 record and clinched first place in the West. They've also become known for big comebacks, with their latest one seeing them outscore Saskatchewan 25-0 in the fourth quarter of a 40-27 win Saturday. One of the most critical moments there came with just over five minutes left. Calgary had taken a 30-27 lead, but Kerry Joseph was trying to get the Riders back on top, and he launched a pass 30 yards in the air from his own 20-yard line towards receiver Rob Bagg. Then this happened:

That's Stampeders' defensive back Jamar Wall swooping in for the interception and eventual pick-six, and that shouldn't be any surprise to Calgary fans. Wall recorded two interceptions on the day, including another athletic one in his own end zone near the end of the game. The Texas Tech product is in his third year with the Stampeders, and he's become an essential part of the Calgary lineup, making spectacular plays on both defence and special teams (including this punt block and return for a touchdown last year that got him our First Star nod). On the season, he has six interceptions, which ties him for the league lead. This was his first return for a touchdown this year, though, and he told Scott Mitchell of The Calgary Sun it happened because only one quick player had a shot at him:

As you can see in the video, that quick player is Saskatchewan #42, running back Keith Toston, and Wall actually has teammate Keon Raymond (#25) to thank for a good block on him (at 0:10), holding him up long enough that Wall can slip through down the sidelines. Downfield blocking after turnovers has been something that the Stampeders have excelled at this year, and it's a big part of why they've made so many big plays. Wall's own speed here is essential, though, as it lets him beat the rest of the stunned Roughriders to the corner and take this in for a touchdown that helped clinch the game for Calgary.

It's worth noting that the Stampeders played this game without Cornish, who's recuperating from various injuries, and that there was nothing on the line for them with first place already clinched. Even with that, though, they never gave up, similar to an even larger 26-point comeback they pulled off against Toronto earlier this year. Many Calgary headlines this year have been about the talents of offensive stars like Cornish and Mitchell, but the defence has also been crucial to the Stampeders' dominance. If Wall and his fellow defenders can keep this up, Calgary will be extremely tough to beat.