The Calgary Stampeders secured their first win of the season Friday night over the Montreal Alouettes. The Alouettes came within one yard of tying the game, but the ball never crossed the goal line.
With Bo Levi Mitchell sidelined for six weeks with a broken left leg, quarterback Jake Maier made his Stampeders debut. Maier nearly threw an interception in his first series, but luckily, an Alouettes player dropped it. This set up a 39-yard field goal by Rene Parades to go up 3-0 with 12:10 left in the first quarter.
In the second series for Calgary, Jake Maier threw an interception to Wesley Sutton. The Alouettes offense marched down the field before quarterback Vernon Adams connected on a nine-yard touchdown pass to Jake Wienke for a 7-3 lead. The game remained 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The Alouettes took a 14-3 lead with 12:10 left in the second quarter after a three-yard touchdown run by running back William Stanback. Then, Calgary started to make a comeback. With four minutes left before halftime, Stampeders running back Ka’Deem Carey rushed for a one-yard touchdown run. Calgary went for a two-point conversion but failed. The Stampeders trailed the Alouettes 14-9.
On the next possession for the Stampeders with 1:25 left in the second quarter, kicker Rene Parades booted a 52-yard field goal to trail by two 14-12 at halftime.
With 2:37 left in the third quarter, the Stampeders took the lead for the first time in the game 19-14 after Jake Maier found Kamar Jordan for a four-yard touchdown pass.
On the next possession for the Alouettes, they were pinned on their six-yard line. After going two-and-out, the Alouettes special teams gave up a safety, and Calgary were now up 21-14 with fifty-eight seconds left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary extended their lead 28-14 with 9:14 left after running back Ka’Deem Carey rushed for a one-yard touchdown run.
After a two-and-out by the Alouettes, kicker David Cote missed a 52-yard field goal; luckily for Montreal, Calgary conceded a single point, and Montreal trailed the Stampeders 28-15. However, on the next possession for Calgary, wide receiver Hergy Mayala fumbled the ball that was recovered by Montreal.
The Alouettes cashed in with three minutes left after quarterback Vernon Adams threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to Quan Brady, now trailing 28-22.
When the Alouettes’ defense stopped Calgary, they got the ball back with 1:44 left in the fourth quarter. Montreal marched down the Stampeders field. With one second left in the game, quarterback Vernon Adams threw a pass to wide receiver Eugene Lewis. Lewis who was standing in the end zone caught the ball on the one-yard line.
Alouettes tried to make a case that he was standing in the end zone and that the ball crossed the line. However, the officials reviewed the play to make sure the ball had not crossed the endzone line, and it didn’t. The Stampeders defeated the Alouettes 28-22.
Calgary quarterback Nick Maier finished the night 16/29 for 304-yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Running back Ka’Deem Carey led the team in rushing with 14 carries for 62-yards and two touchdowns. Former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Josh Huff led the team in receiving yards with five receptions for 128-yards.
The Stampeders’ defense did not record a sack but managed to get one interception and one forced fumble.
Montreal quarterback Vernon Adams finished the night 20/42 for 261-yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back William Stanback led the team in rushing with 15 carries for 82-yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Jake Wieneke led the team in receiving yards with eight receptions for 106-yards and one touchdown. The Alouettes’ defense finished the night with one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble.
The Alouettes return home next Friday, August 27th, at 7:30 pm versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on ESPNews. The Stampeders head to IG Field next Saturday, August 28th, at 7 pm against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
