Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce the signing of import quarterback Drew Tate to a contract extension.

Tate took over the Stamps’ top job late in the 2011 season, starting the team’s final three regular-season games and the West Division semifinal against Edmonton. For the season, Tate threw for 1,346 yards and eight touchdowns and had a quarterback rating of 94.6.

“Drew Tate showed last season that he can be a winning starting quarterback in this league,” said Hufnagel. “I’m looking forward to see what Drew can do over the course of a full season and also excited that he will be a big part of this club for years to come.”

Tate spent the first five weeks of the 2011 season on the injured list before returning to the team as backup to Henry Burris in Week 6. By Week 16, Tate took over the starting quarterback role and led the Stamps to consecutive wins over Saskatchewan, Montreal and Winnipeg. That streak included a memorable 32-27 win in Montreal against the Alouettes in which Tate threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns.

“I enjoyed 2011 more than any season to date in my CFL career and I can’t wait to get started in 2012,” said Tate. “It’s an honour to return to the Stamps and I look forward to working with Kevin Glenn and Brad Sinopoli, along with the rest of the offence.”

Tate originally signed with the Stamps as a free agent in June 2009. In 2007, the NFL’s St. Louis Rams signed Tate and, upon his release, Tate joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster. He also spent the 2008 season with Saskatchewan.

Tate was a three-year starter with the Iowa Hawkeyes and at the end of his collegiate career ranked second in school history in career touchdown passes (61), completions (665), attempts (1,090), and passing yards (8,292) and third in wins by a starting quarterback (21).