The Calgary Stampeders (6-11) visited B.C. Place Stadium on Friday night against the B.C. Lions (12-6) for the third and possibly final meeting of the season. This was the Lions final game of the regular season.
With the Roughriders playing Toronto on Saturday, the Stampeders controlled their destiny for the final playoff spot in the Western Division. Not only did Calgary put more pressure on the Roughriders to win on Saturday, they flat-out dominated this game.
In the first quarter, Calgary running back Ka’Deem Carey had three carries for 25 yards. Next, quarterback Jake Maier threw a 16-yard pass to Tre Odoms-Dukes which led to a Rene Paredes 21-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 4:50 left.
Late in the first quarter, Calgary defensive back Kobe Williams picked off Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass and returned it for 51 yards to the Lions’ 19-yard line. Three plays later, quarterback Jake Maier threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Luther Hakunavanhu which made it 10-0 to end the first quarter.
In the second quarter, history was made for B.C. defensive end Mathieu Betts who sacked Jake Maier with 2:13 left. It was his 18th sack of the season, he became the new sack leader among Canadian players passing Brent Johnson (17) in 2005.
However, Calgary would add another touchdown late in the second quarter when Tommy Stevens scored a 1-yard touchdown with a quarterback sneak. It was now 17-0 with 26 seconds left. Just before halftime, B.C. got on the board when kicker Sean Whyte made a 40-yard field goal. Calgary led 17-3 at halftime.
Calgary had 182 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 7 of 14 passes (50%) for 99 yards, and one touchdown. The rushers, led by Ka’Deem Carey (10 carries for 62 yards) had a combined 18 carries for 93 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Reggie Begelton had two catches for 50 yards, and the defense made three sacks and one forced fumble.
B.C. had 126 yards on offense. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. played the first half completing 9 of 13 passes (69.2%) for 116 yards, one interception. Dane Evans took over quarterback duties in the second half. Running back JaQuan Hardy had five carries for 22 yards and wide receiver Justin McInnis made three catches for 60 yards. B.C.’s defense made one sack.
In the third quarter, Calgary backup quarterback Tommy Stevens scored a two-yard touchdown using the quarterback sneak which made it 24-3 with 10:44 left. Later in the third quarter, the Lions put together an 11-play drive for 75 yards which resulted in a JaQuan Hardy 2-yard touchdown. It was now 24-10 Stampeders with 4:39 left of the third quarter.
Late in the third quarter, B.C. quarterback Dane Evans’s pass was intercepted by Nick Statz at the Lions’ 15-yard line. The turnover would lead to a Jake Maier 15-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Begelton for a 31-10 lead with one quarter left to play.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary linebacker Cameron Judge picked off Dane Evans which led to a Rene Paredes 17-yard field goal. It was now 34-10 Calgary with 8:50 left of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, B.C. quarterback Dane Evans threw a short pass to Jevon Cottoy, who fought off several Calgary players to score a 19-yard touchdown. They tried a two-point conversion but it was no good. It was now 34-16 with 2:41 left in the game.
Calgary put the game away a short time later when running back Peyton Logan made a nice cutback using his quickness to score a 39-yard touchdown. The Stampeders defeated the Lions by the final score of 41-16. With B.C.’s loss, Winnipeg has clinched first place in the West Division, while B.C. will host the Western Semi-Final.
This was Calgary’s second straight win. Saskatchewan must win against Toronto on Saturday or else the Stampeders will clinch the final playoff spot.
Calgary had 322 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 10 of 21 passes (47.6%) for 123 yards, two touchdowns, and one carry for seven yards. Running back Peyton Logan led the rushers with 8 carries for 105 yards, and one touchdown, while Ka’Deem Carey had 15 carries for 88 yards.
Calgary wide receiver Reggie Begelton made four catches for 66 yards, and one touchdown. Calgary’s defense made 39 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
B.C. had 277 yards on offense. Quarterback Dane Evans completed 14 of 20 passes (70%) for 125 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and three carries for 16 yards. Running back JaQuan Hardy had 11 carries for 41 yards and one touchdown. B.C. wide receiver Justin McInnis made seven catches for 108 yards. B.C.’s defense made 41 tackles and one sack.
Next Friday, Calgary hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 9 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
