Bo Levi Mitchell had an outstanding performance in his first ever start behind centre as the Stampeders triumphed 37-24 over Winnipeg in their inaugural trip to Investors Group Field.

“I thought he (Mitchell) played well,” says head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “He got in a rhythm, read and saw the field very well, threw the ball accurately, and did the things you want your quarterback to do.”

The Week 5 matchup featured two quarterback making their first career CFL starts — Justin Goltz of the Blue Bombers and Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell. Goltz is in his fourth year with the Blue and Gold, while Mitchell is in his second season after a standout career at Eastern Washington.

After registering three first downs on their first series, the Stamps took the lead with just over eight minutes left in the opening frame with a punt single from Rob Maver.

Mitchell’s first big play of the night was a deep throw to WR Tim Hawthone for an impressive gain of 55 yards. After a short run by RB Jon Cornish, Calgary increased their lead to eight on the next play from scrimmage when WR Greg Carr recorded the first major of the night as he elevated over his defender for a 27-yard touchdown. The reception was Carr’s first catch as a Stampeder after signing with the club on July 8.

Goltz found Rory Kohlert down the sideline as the slotback broke a tackle and scampered for 40 yards before being taken down by DB Chris Randle.

On the last play of the first quarter, Goltz found WR Jade Etienne on a quick slant pattern from five yards out. It was the first CFL touchdown for the young Canadian receiver out of the University of Saskatchewan.

Just over three minutes later, the same combo hooked up again on an eerily similar play that put Winnipeg ahead 14-8.

Then, on a shovel pass from Mitchell, Cornish ran 38 yards up the middle to advance the ball up to the Blue Bombers’ 30 yard line. The drive soon stalled, bringing K Rene Paredes onto the field to attempt a field goal that would tie him for the longest streak of consecutive field goals in CFL history. The 37-yard attempt was good, his 30th in a row.

Another impressive run from Calgary’s all-star tailback put the Stamps in the red zone. Paredes split the uprights from 19 yards out which broke Paul McCallum’s 2011 record and also tied up the score at 14 apiece.

“A lot of things went through my mind,” says Paredes. “The one thing I had to make sure was I made the kick. It’s a lot of weight on my shoulders; it’s been a long two weeks.”

DB Keon Raymond then earned the first sack of the night for either squad as he dropped Goltz five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Demonte’ Bolden followed suit on second down which gave possession back to the Stampeders with 41 seconds until the half. Paredes returned to the field and split the uprights from 26 yards out as Calgary retook the lead by three on the last play before the break.   

On the Stamps’ opening possession of the second half, WR Anthony Parker caught his first touchdown as a pro when Mitchell had plenty of time to locate the third-year Stampeder and Univerity of Calgary alum behind the defence. 

Goltz and the Winnipeg offence opted to gamble on third-and-two midway through the third quarter, but the Occidental College product was stopped short on the quarterback keeper as Raymond forced the first turnover of the night.

Calgary had a decision of their own to make with a third-and-two situation at the Bombers’ 25 yard line, but turned to the reliable Paredes to extend their lead to 13.

Winnipeg had one final drive in the third, but concluded the quarter without putting any points on the board as the score remained 27-14 in favor of the visitors. Calgary held a decisive lead in total yardage by a margin of 375 – 212.

Winnipeg K Justin Palardy opened the fourth with a 41-yard field goal, but a 61-yard punt return courtesy of Raymond set up 10-yard touchdown catch from SB Marquay McDaniel, the third different receiver Mitchell connected with for six points.

The first interception of the night came when Cordarro Law registered a solid hit on Goltz which allowed DB Demetrice Morley to pick off the errant throw. 

Yet another Paredes field goal and a late Bombers’ touchdown from RB Chad Simpson concluded the scoring.

Mitchell finished the night 29 of 33 for 376 yards and three touchdowns while hooking up with 10 different receivers.

“Being 4-1 with the teams we’ve played and what we’ve have to put up with as far as not having the same lineup, having numerous changes each and every week, I’m pleased,” says Hufnagel. “The players in that locker room proved that they get themselves ready to play and it doesn’t really matter as long as they depend on the guy next to them and that guy next to them hasn’t really let them down.”

Winnipeg fell to 1-4 on the campaign as they will now prepare for a trip to Vancouver in Week 6 to face the Lions on August 5. Calgary improved to 4-1 heading into their bye week and will welcome the Roughriders to town on August 9.