On Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium, the Calgary Stampeders took on the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the first time this year.
The Stampeders have already clinched a playoff spot and will play the BC Lions. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan needed to win this game for a chance at making the playoffs via a crossover or else be eliminated after Hamilton won on Friday night. Saskatchewan made a questionable move leading up to this game with Mason Fine getting the start over Cody Fajardo.
In the first half, it was the kickers who did the scoring. Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made a 30-yard field goal to put the Stampeders up 3-0 with 8:15 left. Then, Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther made a 46-yard field goal, tying the game 3-3 with 4:34 left.
Just before the first quarter ended, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made his second field goal for 42 yards for a 6-3 lead with 40-seconds left.
In the second quarter, Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther made his second field goal for 45 yards, tying the game 6-6 with 13:54 left. Then, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw a 47-yard pass to Jalen Philpot. Four plays later, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes made a 16-yard field goal for a 9-6 lead with 10:44 left. Just before halftime, Rene Paredes made a 28-yard field goal as the Stampeders led 12-6. There were not a lot of highlights in the first half.
Calgary quarterback Jake Maier was 8/16 for 120 yards while running back Ka’Deem Carey had six carries for 51 yards as part of Calgary’s 218 yards on offense. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Mason Fine was 7/12 for 67 yards as part of the Roughriders’ 110 yards on offense.
In the third quarter, Saskatchewan special team’s player Larry Dean knocked the ball out of Calgary returner Jalen Philpot’s hands and recovered the ball. Two plays later, Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine dropped back the pocket and threw a 23-yard touchdown to Shaq Evans for the first touchdown of the game, and a 13-12 lead with 14:15 left.
However, Calgary responded when quarterback Jake Maier threw four passes for 47 yards, and running back Detrick Mills had three carries for 18 yards inside Saskatchewan’s two-yard line. Then, running back Ka’Deem Carey scored the touchdown. Calgary tried a two-point conversion but did not get it and it was 18-13 with 8:25 left.
After Calgary’s defense forced a two-and-out, the offense marched down the field, and running back Detrick Mills scored a two-yard touchdown up the middle for a 25-13 lead with 3:09 left. Late in the third quarter, Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther missed a 38-yard field goal wide right, but returner Jalen Philpot took a knee in the endzone for a single point, 25-14 with 13-seconds left.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary did a nice job taking time off the clock, leading to another touchdown when quarterback Jake Maier found Richie Sindani for 14 yards for a 32-14 lead with 8:29 left. Late in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan punt returner Mario Alford blew by several Stampeders players to score a 104-yard touchdown, cutting Calgary’s lead 32-21 with 36-seconds left.
Saskatchewan recovered an onsides kick, but quarterback Mason Fine was sacked twice before taking a knee on third down to end the game. The Calgary Stampeders beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 32-21, eliminating them from playoff contention, and Hamilton clinched the final playoff spot in the East Division. The Stampeders are now 11-6, while the Roughriders are 6-11.
The first half was lackluster, but the second half was a much better game. I still do not understand why the Roughriders would bench their starter, Cody Fajardo when a playoff spot is on the line. Now that the playoff teams are set, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of backup and third-string players play next weekend.
Calgary quarterback Jake Maier was 15/24 for 205 yards and one touchdown. Running back Dedrick Mills had 17 carries for 103 yards, and one touchdown, while wide receiver Jalen Philpot had two catches for 64 yards. Calgary’s defense allowed 270 yards, with 43 tackles, five sacks, and three pass breakups.
Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine was 18/28 for 196 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 15 yards. Running back Jamal Morrow had eight carries for 39 yards, while wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker had three catches for 61 yards. Saskatchewan’s defense allowed 417 yards, with 55 tackles, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery. These teams will go at it again in the season finale next Saturday at 8 pm on ESPN+.
