October 13, 2017

Stamps use close finish as test down the stretch

The Canadian Press

HAMILTON – It wasn’t pretty but if it means taking one more step towards securing the division, the Calgary Stampeders will take it.

Entering Friday’s matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Stamps were heavy favourites.  Winners of 11 straight and already trampling the Ticats 60-1 this year likely contributed to the pre-game line as well.

The Stampeders ran into a scrappy Tabbies club that took them to the brink, having to rely on a special teams touchdown and a last-second field goal to confirm the win.

“They have good players and they’ve been playing well. I felt it would come down, not necessarily to the last play but right to the end,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said post-game. There’s a lot of value in a game like that especially if you can win.

 

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Despite not getting out to the start they wanted offensively, QB Bo Levi Mitchell eluded to the fact that the Stamps needed a game like this to get them battle tested for the playoffs when he spoke to TSN during his halftime interview.

His head coach echoed those statements after the win.

“I do think to show some of that extra grit and a real nail biter as a coach, you’re not liking it because you didn’t play as well but I think it can do a lot for your team to show you can come from behind, you can play to the last minute, you can make sure your no huddle offence is in good shape. You believe and have faith and trust that you’re still going to win and our guys did.”

Mitchell never really looked out of sorts but he didn’t look in control either which was a stark contrast to the way the gunslinger has played for most of the season.

The Tiger-Cats held the Katy, Texas native to under 50 per cent passing in the first half and Calgary didn’t post their first major until there was 4:36 remaining in the game.

“He fought hard,” Dickenson explained. “Yeah, we missed some here. I didn’t feel like anyone, until Kamar (Jorden) who made that catch, did something out of the ordinary. They did a good job on us. Listen, they have a good defence.”

The catch Dickenson referenced was of the highlight-reel variety when Kemar Jorden out-jumped his defender and high-spotted the ball at the front of the endzone.  It may not have counted as the winner but it was undoubtedly a difference maker in what was a hectic final frame.

Jorden was making his return after sitting out with injury since late July and announced his return with the memorable snag.

“Like I’ve been saying all week, when I did come back from injury I wanted to make sure I was ready to play,” Jorden told reporters after the win. “I didn’t want to come out there hobbling or limping or anything, thinking about it. I Felt like I played fast. I can truthfully say I felt a little rusty at the beginning. But I got into it and once it came down to it I knew I had to make a big play. Once the ball was in the air I knew I had to make a big play for the team.”

Jorden and the Stampeders now once again sit in the driver’s seat in the West playoff hunt. Already with a playoff berth secured, a loss by Winnipeg on Saturday will secure first place in the division for the second consecutive season before they head back home to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 18.