Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell made his return Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium against the Edmonton Elks. The Stampeders were looking for payback after losing to the Elks 32-20 last week.
In the first quarter, both offenses were struggling, with very little progress from both sides. The Elks put the first points on the board with a 30-yard field goal from Sean Whyte for a 3-0 lead with 6:40 left. Late in the first quarter, the Stampeders tied the game 3-3 with 1:50 left on a 42-yard field goal by Rene Paredes. The Elks moved the ball to the Stampeders’ 34-yard line as the first quarter ended.
The Elks went up 6-3 to start the second quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Sean Whyte. Midway through the second quarter, the Stampeders’ offense moved the ball to the Elks 39-yard line before settling for a 46-yard field goal that Rene Paredes made to tie the game 6-6. However, after the Stampeders’ defense forced a two-and-out, the offense were right back on the field and unable to add any points.
Late in the second quarter, with 1:26 left, the Stampeders took a 9-6 lead after Rene Paredes made his third field goal of the game, this time a 44-yarder. The Stampeders led 9-6 at halftime, with the Elks getting the ball in the second half.
On the Stampeders first possession of the third quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell and Ka’Deem Carey led the offense down to the Elks two-yard line. Then backup quarterback Jake Maier rushed for a two-yard touchdown to take a 16-6 lead with 11:07 left in the third quarter.
After the Stampeders defense took care of business with the Elks offense, the Stampeders’ offense went back to work. The Stampeders offense moved the ball to the Elks 28-yard line before Rene Paredes kicked a 35-yard field goal, extending the lead 19-6 with 4:58 left in the third quarter.
On the Elks final possession of the third quarter, Trevor Harris and James Wilder led the Elks offense down to the Stampeders’ 16-yard line before Sean Whyte’s 23-yard field goal made it 19-9 at the end of the third quarter.
The Stampeders’ offense were back out to start the fourth quarter. On the second play, Bo Levi Mitchell was picked off by Trumaine Washington, who ran for a 47-yard touchdown that got the Elks back in the game 19-16. When the Stampeders’ offense went back out, Bo Levi Mitchell led the offense down to the Elks 36-yard line before Rene Paredes kicked a 43-yard field goal and a 22-16 lead.
After the Stampeders forced a two-and-out with 2:04 left in the game, the offense handed the ball off to Ka’Deem Carey to run the clock and force the Elks to use their timeouts. Eventually, Rene Parades made a 41-yard field goal for a 25-16 lead.
The Stampeders’ defense forced a turnover and recovered the ball at the Elks 50-yard line. The Stampeders put the game away when Mitchell’s pass to Kamar Jordan, who ran for a 50-yard touchdown 32-16 with 20 seconds left. The Stampeders defeated the Elks 32-16.
Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went 23/42 for 276-yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Ka’Deem Carey had eleven carries for 45-yards. Kamar Jordan led the team in receiving with 12 receptions for 159-yards and one touchdown. The defense recorded seven sacks, four of them by Stefen Banks, one interception, two force fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
For the Elks, quarterback Trevor Harris finished the game 17/25 for 221-yards and one interception. James Wilder led the team in rushing with 11 carries for 62-yards. Derel Walker led the team in receiving with five receptions for 43-yards, and the defense recorded one sack and one interception.
Next week, the Stampeders play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday, September 17th, at 7 pm on ESPN+. The Edmonton Elks host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday, September 18th, at 9:45 pm on ESPN+.
