Calgary — It was a big night for Bo Levi Mitchell and the undefeated Calgary Stampeders, as the team completed its best start to a season since 1995 with a 25-8 home victory against the Montreal Alouettes.
Mitchell showed no signs of last week’s knee injury as he led his team to their fifth straight victory, completing 25 of 34 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Mitchell also moved up the Stamps’ record books by passing Doug Flutie for second place on Calgary’s all-time passing yards list.
“He’s just such a winner, he does all the right things,” Head coach Dave Dickenson said after the win. “And I know I can call any play. He knows the reads, he knows how to handle the blitz.”
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But the veteran quarterback made it clear after the win that it was the talented players around him that made the difference in Week 6.
“The o-line kept me upright, and they did a hell of a job letting me get the ball out of my hand,” Mitchell said. “When we do that, I think we’re pretty dangerous. I’m a point guard and facilitator, letting these guys get the ball and make the plays.”
While Mitchell was happy with the victory, he knows there is still room for improvement and wants to see the team capitalize on missed opportunities after a slow second half against Montreal.
“I know how good we are,” Mitchell said.” I know how good that group is over there and the plays we can make, and I just want to see us make those plays.”
As far as last week’s injury goes, Mitchell said his knee felt good but that it would be an ongoing process moving forward.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a process, just making sure that I’m healthy for the game and taking care of it,” Mitchell said.
Dickenson was happy to see Mitchell reach a milestone on Calgary’s passing list, but he was quick to point out how important the entire team has been to their 5-0 start.
“It’s a full team effort though and he knows that,” Dickenson said. “We had guys stepping up and making catches for him. We normally have a pretty good balanced offence, we’ve always been well coached on special teams and our defence has been special.”
Despite the hot start, Dickenson also believes the best is still to come for Calgary. While the team has looked strong on offence, defence and special teams, Dickenson knows the challenges will become greater as the season moves forward.
“I’m proud of them. I think they’re doing the right things, but our best football is a long shot from what we showed tonight,” Dickenson said. “We’ll be much better, and we’re going to need to be better as the season goes on.”
The Stamps will look to continue their winning ways when they travel on the road to face the 3-2 Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 7 action next Saturday night.
