In the first game of a doubleheader Friday night, the Calgary Stampeders visited Tim Hortons Field to battle the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Calgary was looking to win their second straight game since Bo Levi Mitchell’s return.
The first turnover of the game came on a punt by the Tiger-Cats. Punter Michael Domagala’s punt went 37-yards. While the ball was coming down, the ball hit the face mask of Stampeders returner Richard Leonard. The Tiger-Cats special teams recovered the ball.
The Tiger-Cats offense could not capitalize on the turnover and settled for a 47-yard field by Taylor Bertolet that put Hamilton up 3-0 with 9:01 left in the first quarter.
After the Stampeders went two-and-out on their next possession, punter Cody Grace’s punt went 47-yards. Then, Tiger-Cats returner Frankie Williams fumbled the ball and the Stampeders special teams recovered the ball. Like the Tiger-Cats, the Stampeders’ offense was quiet, and they settled for a 31-yard field goal by Rene Paredes that tied the game 3-3 with 6:50 left in the first quarter. No other scoring occurred, and the game remained tied 3-3 as the first quarter ended.
Not much changed in the second quarter. The Tiger-Cats took a 6-3 lead with 35 seconds left on an 18-yard field goal by Taylor Bertolet, his second of the game. The Tiger-Cats led 6-3 at halftime. Both offenses struggled in the first half. Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell missed throws, and those he threw to were dropped or way off target.
For the Tiger-Cats, quarterback David Watford connected to his receivers. Still, they didn’t gain much yardage as the Stampeders’ defense stopped them, keeping them in the game. However, the second half was a different story.
In the third quarter, the Tiger-Cats extended the lead 9-3 on a 49-yard field goal from Taylor Bertolet. The Stampeders responded on the next drive. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s pass was caught by Luther Hakunavanhu. He ran for 74-yards before being tackled at the Tiger-Cats one-yard line.
Stampeders backup quarterback Jake Maier would then rush for a one-yard touchdown. The Stampeders led 10-9 with 11:14 left in the third quarter.
The game’s turning point came on the Stampeders next possession on their own nine-yard line when Bo Levi Mitchell’s pass went off of Luther Hakunavanhu and was intercepted by Simoni Lawrence, who ran it in for a touchdown.
The Tiger-Cats converted a two-point conversion to make it 17-10 with 6:35 left in the third quarter. The game remained 17-10 Tiger-Cats at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Tiger-Cats quarterback David Watford drove the team down to the Stampeders’ 12-yard line. Then kicker Taylor Bertolet (19-yards) made his fourth field goal of the game that extended the lead 20-10.
Late in the game, Tiger-Cats kicker Taylor Bertolet’s 33-yard field goal made it 23-10. The Stampeders replaced Mitchell with Jake Maier. Jake Maier led the team down the field before completing a five-yard touchdown pass to Richie Sindani to make it a one-score game 23-17. The Stampeders tried an onside kick; however, the Tiger-Cats recovered. The Tiger-Cats went into a victory formation and beat the Stampeders 23-17.
Tiger-Cats quarterback David Watford finished the night 19/22 for 149-yards and 35-yards rushing. Tim White led the team in receiving with six receptions for 40-yards. The defense recorded a sack, an interception, and two forced fumbles.
For the Stampeders, Bo Levi Mitchell struggled, going 16/28 for 170-yards and one interception. Backup quarterback Jake Maier went 9/9 for 80-yards, one touchdown, three-rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Running back Ka’Deem Carey had seven carries for 26-yards.
Luther Hakunavanhu led the team in receiving with four receptions for 88-yards. The defense recorded two sacks (Shawn Lemon-2 sacks) and one fumble recovery.
Next week, the Tiger-Cats visit TD Place against the Ottawa Redblacks on Wednesday, September 22nd, at 7:30 pm on ESPN+, while the Stampeders are on a bye week.
