On Saturday night at BMO Field, the Calgary Stampeders took on the Toronto Argonauts in their first meeting of the season.
In the first quarter, both teams traded field goals. First, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made a 23-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 13-minutes left, and Toronto kicker Boris Bede made a chip shot ten-yard field goal, tying the game 3-3 with 7:44 left.
Toronto controlled the first quarter but could not score any more points. Calgary had the ball to begin the second quarter, facing third down.
In the second quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell pitched the ball to Peyton Logan, who got a couple of blocks and scored a 29-yard touchdown, putting Calgary up 10-3 with 10:22 left. On Toronto’s next possession, backup quarterback Chad Kelly had a couple of carries for 23 yards, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw two passes for 17 yards. The Argonauts reached Calgary’s one-yard line, and Chad Kelly took it in for the touchdown, tying the game 10-10 with 5:13 left.
For the rest of the second quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made two field goals. The first went 35 yards, and the second for 40 yards as the Argonauts took a 16-10 lead at halftime.
Just before the third quarter started, the Stampeders made a change at quarterback. Jake Maier was in for Bo Levi Mitchell. Midway through the third quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made his fourth goal of the night for 27-yards for a 19-10 lead with 6:07 left.
Late in the third quarter, momentum shifted to Calgary’s favor. The Stampeders’ defense blitzed, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson overthrew his receiver as Elie Bouka intercepted the ball and took it to the house for a 62-yard touchdown, cutting Toronto’s lead 19-16 with 3:12 left. After Toronto went three-and-out, Calgary got the ball back and faced a 2nd and 6 to start the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made two field goals. The first went for 41 yards that tied the game 19-19 with 14:48 left, and the second went for 35 yards for a 22-19 lead with 10:01 left. Late in the game, Toronto quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lost the ball after being sacked by Shawn Lemon and recovered by Cameron Judge, ending the game. The Stampeders beat the Argonauts 22-19 and improved to 6-3, while the Argonauts dropped to 4-5.
Calgary’s defense saved this team from losing the game. The Stampeders would’ve lost this game if it weren’t for the interception returned for a touchdown. Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went 9/16 for 149 yards and two interceptions. Meanwhile, backup quarterback Jake Maier went 14/18 for 156 yards, one interception, and one carry for eight yards.
Calgary running back Dedrick Mills had 11 carries for 48 yards, while wide receiver Shawn Bane had four catches for 129 yards. The Stampeders’ defense allowed 337 yards, 53 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Calgary plays the Winnipeg Blue Bombers next Thursday at 8:30 pm on ESPN+.
For Toronto, this was their chance to keep a two-game in the East Division. Instead, they have a one-game lead in the division after Montreal won earlier in the day. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson went 27/43 for 276 yards, one interception, and one carry for six yards. Meanwhile, backup quarterback Chad Kelly had four carries for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Toronto running back A.J. Ouellette had six carries for 18 yards and seven catches for 92 yards, while wide receiver DaVaris Daniels had five catches for 70 yards. The Argonauts’ defense allowed 398 yards, 48 tackles, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Toronto hosts Hamilton next Friday at 7:30 pm on ESPN+.
