In the final CFL game for week 9, the Calgary Stampeders hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McMahan Stadium. The season hasn’t been kind to the Stampeders, and they needed a win to keep up in the West Division.
On the Stampeders first possession of the first quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell, Ka’Deem Carey, and Malik Henry led the offense on a seven-play drive, capping off with Mitchell’s pitch to Malik Henry for an eleven-yard touchdown to put the Stampeders up 7-0 with 9:56 left.
Then, on the Stampeders next possession, Bo Levi Mitchell and the offense went on a six-play drive before throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Bane to take a 14-0 lead with 4:20 left in the first quarter. The Roughriders had the ball and marched down to the Stampeders’ 47-yard line before the first quarter ended, trailing 14-0.
The Roughriders were able to get to the Stampeders’ 15-yard line before settling for a 23-yard field goal by Brett Lauther trailing 14-3 with 12:05 in the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, the Stampeders got to the Roughriders’ 33-yard line before Rene Paredes made a 40-yard field goal for a 17-3 lead with 6:54 left.
For the rest of the second quarter, the Roughriders were in control. With 1:51 left, kicker Brett Lauther made a 27-yard field goal as the Roughriders trailed 17-6. The Stampeders had the ball to close out the first half up 17-6 at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, both defenses made quick work on both offenses. Midway through the third quarter, Stampeders kicker Rene Parades made a 40-yard field goal for a 20-6 lead with 6:55 left.
After the Roughriders went two-and-out, their defense gave them another chance when Ed Gainey intercepted Bo Levi Mitchell’s pass. After moving the ball to the Stampeders’ 53-yard line, Roughriders punter Jon Ryan punted the ball into the endzone and out of bounds for a single point.
The score was now 20-7, with 1:38 left in the third quarter. The Stampeders had the ball to start the fourth quarter up 20-7.
With their backs against the wall, the Roughriders needed to make a comeback. With 9:25 left in the game, quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a 71-yard pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker to set them up at the Stampeders’ four-yard line. Then, Fajardo gave the ball to William Powell for a four-yard touchdown run, now trailing 20-14 with 8:14 left in the game.
Feeling the pressure, the Roughriders’ defense stopped the Stampeders, giving the offense another chance. However, after the Stampeders stopped the Roughrider’s offense, Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stampeders were focused on adding more points while running out the clock. With 2:54 left, kicker Rene Parades made a 43-yard field goal for a 23-14 lead.
On the next Roughriders possession, Cody Fajardo led the offense down to the Stampeders’ 20-yard line before Brett Lauther kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it a one-score game 23-17 with 1:46 left.
The Roughriders went for an on-side kick and recovered the ball. With 33-seconds left, Cody Fajardo’s pass was intercepted by Jonathan Moxley to seal the game. The Stampeders held on to a 23-17 win.
Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went 16/25 for 184 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back, Ka’Deem Carey touched the ball eleven times for 78 yards. Shawn Bane led the receivers with two catches for 56-yards and a touchdown. The defense recorded two sacks and one interception.
For the Roughriders, quarterback Cody Fajardo went 25/44 for 269-yards, one interception, and 23 yards rushing. Running back, William Powell had eleven carries for 66-yards. Kian Schaffer-Baker led the receivers with five receptions for 107-yards. The defense recorded three sacks and one interception.
Next week, these two teams will meet again on Saturday, October 9th, from Mosaic Stadium at 7 pm on ESPN+.
