Stampeders defeat Tiger-Cats in overtime at home opener – Calgary

Bo Levi Mitchell wished to sprinkle his Calgary Stampeders teammates with reward after his staff overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in time beyond regulation on Saturday.

The Stampeders (2-0) discovered themselves behind 24-0 late within the first half earlier than they kicked into gear to attain a 33-30 victory in opposition to the Tiger-Cats (0-2) of their dwelling opener earlier than 22,711 followers at Tim Hortons Discipline.

“I do know lots of people will likely be speaking about our offence and me turning issues round,” mentioned Mitchell, who accomplished 28 of 42 for 313 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

“However the defence stepped up. We had an interception to win the sport, a strip on a quarterback sneak for a landing and Rene, that man doesn’t get sufficient credit score. He’s the most effective kicker within the recreation.”

Rene Paredes went an ideal 4-for-4, together with a game-tying 39-yard discipline purpose as regulation time expired and a 35-yarder on Calgary’s offensive possession to start time beyond regulation.

Calgary linebacker Jameer Thurman picked off Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans on the Calgary 17-yard line to finish the sport. Stampeders security Titus Wall additionally had an interception within the third quarter and stripped Evans on a quarterback sneak within the fourth quarter.

Wall scampered in for a 45-yard rating to tie the sport at 30-30 with 4:12 remaining.

“We simply saved preaching resiliency and making a play on the proper time,” Wall mentioned.

“All people confirmed up on the proper time,” Mitchell added. “It sucked to be in that place, and an excellent staff shouldn’t be in that place. However all the fellows stepped up and made the performs.”

Evans didn’t need to make a commotion on the disastrous third and inches, however he felt the whistle ought to have been blown earlier than Wall made his large play.

“I’ve achieved these one million instances, and that play was over,” Evans mentioned. “Each one in every of them, at all times. As quickly because the quarterback will get the primary, it’s over. They by no means let it linger. It’s what it’s. That was positively a giant turning level. That was in all probability the most important momentum shift.”

Evans vowed to be higher after the Ticats’ fourth-quarter collapse of their season opener in Regina in opposition to the Saskatchewan Roughriders final week. That gave the impression to be the case within the first half, taking part in behind a revamped offensive line.

He tossed three touchdowns within the opening two quarters and completed with 425 throwing yards, finishing 36 of 51.

However the Ticats had been badly outscored within the fourth quarter for the second recreation in a row. The Roughriders put collectively an 18-7 rally final week, and the Stampeders outplayed Hamilton by a 23-6 margin within the fourth quarter and time beyond regulation on Saturday.

“It’s disappointing,” Ticats head coach Orlondo Steinauer mentioned. “It’s going to sting, and it ought to. We didn’t end. We had alternatives and didn’t do it.”

Wall picked off Evans ultimately zone early within the third quarter. On Hamilton’s subsequent possession, they had been stopped on third down at Calgary’s nine-yard line when Thurman stopped a quarterback sneak from Matt Shiltz.

The Stampeders misplaced operating backs Charlie Energy and Peyton Logan to accidents on this outing.

After Evans’ first-half landing passes to Sean Thomas Erlington, Steven Dunbar and Tim White, Mitchell pulled apart his receiving corps within the locker room to speak a couple of comeback.

The bid stalled early within the third quarter when Ticats defensive again Javon Santos-Knox intercepted Mitchell.

“I lit a fireplace in myself after the choose,” mentioned Mitchell, who tossed touchdowns to Reggie Begelton and Luther Hakunavanhu within the third quarter.

Hamilton kicker Michael Domagala booted discipline targets of 21, 18 and 39 yards in his three makes an attempt.