CALGARY – There are four former University of Calgary Dinos on the Alouettes’ roster, but only one, rookie defensive-tackle Michael Klassen, actually was born and raised in the city.

Saturday’s game against the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium was a homecoming for the 22-year-old, played at the stadium that’s shared by the Canadian Football League and university teams.

“I’m very pumped. To play in my hometown stadium, the one in which I played four years of college. I’m happy and ecstatic,” Klassen said this week. “I hope to pull out a win so I can say I beat the team I grew up cheering for.”

Klassen, the Als’ fourth-round (32nd overall) draft choice this year, has made a startling and impressive ascendancy to the pro ranks. He had to attend the league’s regional combine, in Edmonton, before being invited to Toronto with university’s best draft-eligible prospects. That, in itself, was surprising considering he led the Dinos last season, with 5 1/2 quarterback sacks. He also had 19 1/2 tackles along with his first career interception, at Manitoba.

Indeed, Klassen was a walk-on when he arrived at the U. of C. and was red-shirted his first year.

“I kept growing with the team and in size. I learned the game,” said the 6-foot-5, 275 pounder. “I was disappointed when I was invited to the Toronto combine, but I knew I had the skill-set to get there through the regional.

“A year ago, I never thought in a million years I’d be here, playing pro ball this soon in my career. I thought I’d be a special teams guy, not contributing as much.”

Instead, Klassen is part of the rotation on the defensive line. Through three games, he had two tackles and one sack.

“Even coming into training camp, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure that I was right for the team or that I was going to stick,” he admitted. “It’s an overwhelming feeling. I’m very ecstatic and I couldn’t be happier.”

Klassen comes from a large family. He’s the second-oldest of seven children. His mother comes from a family of eight, while his father is one of five siblings. Needless to say, he was busy getting as many tickets as possible from teammates.

The other Dinos, incidentally: Mike Edem, Steven Lumbala and Jordan Verdone. …

Now it can be told.

Many of us were surprised over the Als’ third-down alignment last week at home against the Stamps. On more than one occasion while gambling on third down, tailback Brandon Whitaker lined up behind centre, taking the snap and forging ahead – while quarterback Anthony Calvillo was behind him, in the backfield, as a decoy.

It was all very cute – until such time as Whitaker sustains an injury, which is why teams don’t have their starting quarterbacks run the play. But, to have Calvillo out of the play, also meant the Als were playing with 11 men, not 12.

It just doesn’t make sense.

“You don’t want to have A.C. do it,” head coach Dan Hawkins explained. “We could bring the backup, and we do have that package. Maybe this element … keeps (Calgary) wondering because A.C.’s still in the game.

“Should I defend the sneak … prepare for something else? And we might.” …

Former Concordia Stinger Rene Paredes is nearing a CFL record.

Paredes connected on five field goals last week against the Als, extending his regular-season consecutive field goal streak to 25. He hasn’t missed since last Sept. 23.

Paul McCallum holds the record of 30 straight, set in 2011. He also made 29 consecutive earlier in his career, while Saskatchewan’s Dave Ridgway made 28 in 1993.

“This week’s been different. There has been a lot of media attention,” Paredes said. “My job’s to make field goals. There’s no added pressure.

“The record would mean a lot, but I’m not thinking about it. It would be great this early in my career.” …

News you need: Calgary long-snapper Randy Chevrier, the former McGill Redmen, has lost at least 40 or 45 pounds from last season, now tipping the scales at a svelte 246. He stopped taking sugar in his coffee and no longer consumes soft drinks. Most importantly, Chevrier no longer eats after dinner.

“I used to stand in the pantry for 10 minutes at 9 or 9:30, waiting for the food to just jump in my mouth,” he quipped.

Chevrier, 6-foot-2, is now 37 years old and in his 11th CFL season. …

Als tailback and kick-returner Noel Devine lost his wallet at training camp. Then, he apparently misplaced his passport, showing up at the airport Friday morning with no identification. Predictably, he wasn’t allowed on the team flight but somehow made it to Calgary on Saturday, locating the document according to a team official. …

Als scratches against Calgary: Tyron Carrier, Anthony Barrette, Bo Adebayo and Moton Hopkins.