On Saturday night at McMahan Stadium, the Calgary Stampeders took on the BC Lions, with the winner getting second place in the West Division. The Lions had won three straight games and were looking to make it four in a row.
The Lions struck first with a 19-yard field goal by Sean Whyte for a 3-0 lead with 10:55 left. On the kickoff, Jalen Philpot returned the ball for 77 yards at the Lions’ 29-yard line. Two plays later, Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw an eight-yard pass to Shawn Bane. Thus, becoming the all-time passing leader in Calgary history.
Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made a 28-yard field goal, tying the game 3-3 with 9:13 left. When the Lions got the ball back, quarterback Nathan Rourke’s pass was intercepted by Nicholas Statz. The Stampeders took advantage of it when Bo Levi Mitchell dropped back from the shotgun and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jalen Philpot, making it 10-3 with 7:52 left.
The Stampeders added three more points on the board with a 53-yard field goal by Rene Paredes, extending their lead 13-3 with 4:17 left. The Lions’ offense moved the ball towards Calgary’s 47-yard line before punting the ball back to the Stampeders. Calgary had the ball to begin the second quarter, facing a 3rd and 4.
They punted the ball to the Lions, and BC started on their 23-yard line. On the first play, Nathan Rourke’s pass was intercepted by Folarin Orimolade, and he returned it for a 28-yard touchdown, making it 20-3 with 14:08 left.
Lions’ quarterback Nathan Rourke threw three passes for 48 yards to get them to Calgary’s 30-yard line. Then, Rourke scrambled out of the pocket from his right side and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Rhymes, cutting Calgary’s lead 20-10 with 10:54 left.
Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw a couple of passes for 35 yards, and a penalty on the Lions’ defense led them to BC’s 25-yard line. Kicker Rene Paredes made a 32-yard field goal for a 23-10 lead with 6:26 left.
On the Lions’ next drive, Nathan Rourke threw four passes for 57 yards to Calgary’s one-yard line. Rourke scored a touchdown with a quarterback sneak, making it 23-17 with 2:37 left. Calgary responded on the kickoff with a Jalen Philpot 27-yard return, followed by Dedrick Mills’s two carries for 23 yards.
Three plays later, Bo Levi Mitchell did a pump fake before throwing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Bane for a 30-17 lead. Late in the second quarter, Lions’ punter Stefan Flintoft punted the ball for 89 yards that went into the endzone and out of bounds for a single point, 30-18. Just before halftime, Rene Paredes missed a 51-yard field goal, and Calgary led 30-18 at halftime and got the ball to start the third quarter.
Both offenses generated some plays in the third quarter, but both traded field goals. Rene Paredes made a 51-yard field goal for a 33-18 lead with 10:43 left, and Lions’ kicker Sean Whyte made a 38-yard field goal, trailing 33-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lions had the ball to begin the fourth quarter, and Sean Whyte made a 23-yard field goal to cut Calgary’s lead 33-24 with 14:08 left. After the Lions’ defense stopped Calgary, Nathan Rourke went to work. Rourke threw four passes for 45 yards, setting them up on 3rd and 1. Rourke threw a terrific pass down the middle to Bryan Burnham for a 53-yard touchdown, and it was a two-point game, 33-31, with 6:58 left.
Calgary needed a response. On the kickoff, Peyton Logan returned the ball for a 99-yard touchdown for a 40-31 lead with 6:44 left. Then, BC’s offense marched down the field towards Calgary’s one-yard line, and Nathan Rourke scored a touchdown with a quarterback sneak, making it a two-point game, 40-38, with 2:33 left.
The Lions’ defense stopped Calgary, giving their offense one last opportunity to win the game. BC’s offense marched down to Calgary’s 18-yard line, and kicker Sean Whyte sealed the game with a 25-yard field goal for a 41-40 lead with five seconds left.
Calgary had one more chance to win the game, but they kicked the ball hoping for a hop, and the Lions got the ball and downed it, ending the game. The Lions are in sole possession of second place with a 41-40 win. The Lions have won four straight games. BC is now 7-1, and the Stampeders are 5-3.
This was an entertaining game. Both teams played a good game, and the Lions continue to show they are not a fluke. Meanwhile, Nathan Rourke continues to take the league by storm. His performance and not giving up is why they are in the position they are in right now. This Lions team is fun to watch.
BC quarterback Nathan Rourke went 39/52 for 488 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, four carries for eight yards, and two touchdowns. Running back, Bruce Anderson had nine carries for 37 yards, while wide receiver Bryan Burnham had eight catches for 165 yards and one touchdown.
The Lions’ defense allowed 286 yards, 34 tackles, one forced fumble, five pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. The Lions play the Saskatchewan Roughriders next Friday at 10 pm on ESPN+.
Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went 18/32 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Running back, Dedrick Mills had seven carries for 55 yards, while wide receiver Shawn Bane had five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.
The Stampeders’ defense allowed 533 yards, 61 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and two interceptions. The Stampeders play the Toronto Argonauts next Saturday at 7 pm on ESPN+.
