The Canadian Press
“Calgary is going to have to find some way, devise a way to kick more than field goals though.”
That was the quote from TSN broadcaster Rod Black right before Hamilton’s Lirim Hajrullahu missed a 48 yard field goal that, if he had been successful, you may not be reading this column. The Calgary Stampeders’ 19-18 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be remembered for many things. Tre Roberson’s game winning blocked field goal, Bo Levi Mitchell maintaining his undefeated streak against the Tiger-Cats, Bralon Addison and Brandon Banks combining for 272 total yards, or the bigger picture of Hamilton once again finding new and torturous ways to lose to the Stamps.
But for me, what sticks out is that soon after Rod Black made that proclamation, Bo Levi Mitchell again demonstrated to the rest of the CFL why he is the best in the business. Calgary had been outplayed for much of the game and found themselves trailing 18-12 early in the fourth quarter when Mitchell put together a vintage touchdown drive, going 5-of-6 for 78 yards and the winning touchdown pass. Before this drive it had been a sub-standard performance for the two-time CFL MOP, barely completing 50 per cent of his passes (18-of-33, 256 yards) and beyond hooking up a couple times with Reginald Begelton the offence had kind of sleepwalked its way to 12 points early in the fourth quarter against a Tabbies D that was second in the league in offensive points given up.
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Clichés like “gamer” or “money quarterback” are often overused and sometimes we throw around these terms without really knowing what they mean. On Saturday afternoon Mitchell (and the entire offence) showed exactly what a clutch drive looks like to send the fans home happy on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Watching it live you could feel it after a couple plays, that sense of inevitable. Call it a combination of Mitchell’s skill set and Hamilton’s past against this team and you just knew the final play would be a bunch of Stamps skill position players celebrating in the end zone.
Mitchell’s first completion was without a doubt the best on this journey. Facing a second and 10, with Simoni Lawrence timing his blitz to get right in his face a moment before the ball was released, Mitchell still managed to hit Begelton right in the hands. It should be noted that Begelton was double covered, and well defended at that. This wasn’t the case of Mitchell reading the blitz and hitting a wide open receiver. The pass needed to be right on target or it easily would have been knocked away, or worse. Hard to find a more impressive 12 yard completion. Can I start a GoFundMe page to raise money to ensure that Begelton stays in Canada? I want the Mitchell to Begelton connection in my CFL life for as long as possible.
After that it was surgical for the Calgary offence. A quick hitter to an open Colton Hunchak in the slot for a first down. Three plays later Mitchell rolling out to his right, directing traffic and spotting a wide open Begelton, hitting him stride by throwing across his body. That is the kind of dangerous throw that is a big no-no for many quarterbacks, but then again most passers in this league aren’t Mitchell. At this point we all knew what was coming (be honest Hamilton fans, you sensed a touchdown was coming), and it did on the next play from the 15 yard line as Mitchell faked the run, surveyed the field and spotted Eric Rogers with a slight step one-on-one against Mike Daly. Touchdown. For the first time Calgary would have the lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
Now, I will take a moment from my predictable quarterback worship to put some context on the hero quarterback narrative. Calgary’s offensive line protected Mitchell like it was their own mothers playing quarterback. From Derek Dennis on the left side to Nila Kasitati on the right to everyone in the middle, Bo was given a consistent clean pocket. On the go ahead touchdown to Rogers Mitchell had just under four seconds to find his target. On the other side of the ball, Mitchell would never have been given the opportunity to play the role of hero without Calgary’s defence blanking Hamilton’s offence in the second half, which included key sacks by Cordarro Law and Derek Wiggan.
As for Hamilton, you have to feel sorry for a team that for much of the game looked like and played like the superior team, out gaining Calgary in total yards and first downs and holding a slight advantage in time of possession. Of course when you throw up a minus four in the turnover battle at McMahon Stadium your chances of winning are slim at best.
The Ticats had their chances to end Bo Levi Mitchell’s win streak against them. Had their defence not dropped a couple passes maybe we would have been talking about the Tiger-Cats slaying the dragon by making Mitchell look ordinary. Certainly it was in play. But in the end we are left with a familiar story with the two-time Grey Cup Champ once again playing the role of conquering hero.
