August 13, 2016

Mitchell, Stampeders outlast Riders in heated Saturday night affair

CFL PHOTO - MATT SMITH

REGINA — Bo Levi Mitchell completed 18 of his 31 passes for 298 yards, while Jerome Messam scored Calgary’s lone touchdown as the Stampeders downed the Saskatchewan Roughriders 19-10 Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.

The win was Calgary’s second in as many weeks over the Riders. They’ve now won four-straight, and haven’t lost a game since Week 1.

Darian Durant was solid in his second game back from injury, throwing for 215 yards on 33 attempts, while rushing for a game-high 74.

Offensively speaking, there was little action in the first quarter, with Rene Paredes’ 46-yard field goal serving as the only points in the game’s opening 15 minutes.

Paredes would then tack on his second field goal of the evening, this time connecting from 40 yards out to extend Calgary’s lead to six.

CFL PHOTO - MATT SMITH
Images: Check out all the action from Mosaic in photos. 

The points came after Mitchell guided the Stamps on a lengthy 11-play drive that spanned over 10 minutes.

With less than 3:30 to get in the half, the Stamps increased their lead to nine thanks to another field goal by Paredes, his 19th consecutive successful attempt.

But as the first half was nearing its end, Durant and the Roughrider offence finally woke up.

First, the soon-to-be 34-year old pivot heaved a deep ball to Ricky Collins for a gain of 35 yards, bringing the home side deep into Calgary territory.

Then, when it seemed as though the drive wouldn’t go any further, the Riders caught a break thanks to an offsides penalty on defensive lineman Frank Beltre.

One play later, Durant hooked up with Kendial Lawrence for what appeared to be a 17-yard touchdown. However, after a quick review by the command centre in Toronto, it was deemed that Lawrence stepped out at the one yard line.

Three plays later, the Riders would finally hit paydirt, as backup pivot Mitchelll Gale scored on his third try from the in close, cutting Calgary’s lead to just two.

The two teams would enter the locker room with the Stamps leading 9-7.

 

 

Once the second half got underway, Calgary wasted no time restoring their leader.

After Roy Finch gave the Stampeders excellent field position thanks to a 44-yard punt return, Mitchell and his offence went to work on finding the endzone for the first time all night.

But it was disciplinary issues by the Riders defence that did most of the work for the Stamps, with DBs Justin Cox and Major Culbert taking consecutive penalties to bring Calgary to inside the red zone.

Two plays later, Messam found the endzone for Calgary’s first touchdown of the game, giving them a 16-7 lead in the process.

The Riders eventually would respond, as rookie kicker Quinn van Gylswyk split the uprights on an impressive 54-yard field goal, the first of his CFL career.

stamps-riders-pick-trend-2016-1
The Fans have spoken: 75% of CFL fans correctly selected the Stampeders to head back to Calgary with a W.

The majority of the fourth quarter saw both defences keep the offences at bay. The Riders had a chance to cut Calgary’s lead to three with just over two minutes remaining, but van Gylswyk hit the upright from 40 yards out.

On the very next play from scrimmage, Mitchell connected with Simon Charbonnneau-Campeau for a massive 64-yard gain, bringing the Stamps within scoring range.

Though they couldn’t reach the endzone, Paredes split the uprights for his fourth field goal of the night, connecting from 21 yards out to put the game out of reach.

Next week, the Stamps head to BC to take on the Lions at BC Place Stadium. Meanwhile, the Riders will travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field.