By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

Bo Levi Mitchell improved to 5-0 as a CFL starting quarterback as the Stampeders marched into Rogers Centre and defeated the hometown Argos by a score of 34-15 in Week 3 action on Saturday evening. 

After receiving the game’s opening kickoff, Toronto WR John Chiles was found all alone by QB Ricky Ray for an impressive gain on the first play from scrimmage. The drive sputtered, however, and Swayze Waters knocked a 44-yard field goal through the uprights after DB Lin-J Shell haulted the drive with a second down tackle on receiver Spencer Watt. 

University of Calgary alum Anthony Parker made a remarkable one-handed grab over the middle to move the chains for the Stamps on their first possession before Rene Paredes was successful from 36 yards out to tie up the game at three. 

Toronto responded with another field goal courtesy of Waters, this time from just outside of the red zone, to recapture the lead.

Calgary SB Marquay McDaniel then ran under a deep toss from QB Bo Levi Mitchell to move the offence out from deep inside their own territory. The Red and White used that momentum to polish off the first quarter in style, as a direct snap to RB Jock Sanders set up a lateral toss to Mitchell who then located Parker for a 58-yard major score. 

When the Argos got the ball back, Waters came on for a 46-yard attempt, but the kick sailed wide right. Sanders managed to catch the ball without stepping out the back of the end zone and preceded to burst down the sideline before eventually being brought down by backup QB Trevor Harris at the Argonauts’ seven yard line. On the very next play, Mitchell hooked up with wideout Jeff Fuller for the Texas A&M product’s first career touchdown in the CFL. Set up by the electrifying return, the touchdown allowed the visitors to jump out to a 17-6 advantage with less than 10 minutes remaining until the half.

But before the break, Sanders bobbled a punt return which led to the first turnover of the contest. Shane Herbert made the recovery at Calgary’s 11 yard line, but Toronto was forced to settle for three points. An uncharacteristic miss from Paredes sent the teams to their respective locker rooms with the Stampeders holding on to a 17-9 lead.

The Stamps received the kickoff the begin the second half and methodically marched down the field with a 27-yard grab by Brad Sinopoli and a pair of eight-yard rushes from Matt Walter. Mitchell capped it off by connecting with Fuller for six points once again to extend the score to 24-9. 

“Jeff’s played well every time he’s stepped on the field for us,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “Jeff’s a very dangerous receiver. He’s tough to handle one-on-one because of his size and his strength and speed. And Anthony, every time he’s been called on, he’s made plays for us. Hopefully he can stay healthy and we can call on him more consistently.”

Curtis Steele took the subsequent kickoff up to midfield until Paredes tripped up the second-year Argo. Waters concluded the six-play, 38-yard drive with another field goal after a pass intended for Chiles was tipped away by Calgary newcomer Buddy Jackson in the secondary on second down.

Mitchell threw his fourth touchdown of the night to McDaniel, who evaded his defender and dove inside the pilon to go up 31-12 midway through the third quarter. 

A 51-yard boot from Waters, his fourth made field goal in five attempts, narrowed the point differential to 16. Paredes soon followed suit from close range with three points of his own. 

Calgary forced a turnover of their own when DB Fred Bennett picked up a fumble forced by DE Charleston Hughes, who stripped Ray of the ball behind the line of scrimmage. A blocked Paredes field goal meant the Stampeders came away without any points off the change of possession, with the scoreboard still showing a 34-15 margin.

With both squads missing their starting running backs in Jon Cornish and Andre Durie, the majority of the damage was done through the air, with Calgary and Toronto combining for 630 passing yards versus only 182 on the ground. 

“Bo had a good game,” said Hufnagel. “He did what we needed from the position. He had good composure for the mostpart, threw the ball very accurately, made a great throw on the double-pass and Anthony Parker made a great play on it also.”

Next up for the Stampeders is a meeting with the 0-2 Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium on Friday, July 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and will be braodcast on TSN and Newstalk 770.