By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

The Calgary Stampeders were victorious by a 32-7 margin over the Ottawa RedBlacks in a Sunday matinee from the Nation’s Capital. The Week 9 matchup marked the Red and White’s first trip to Ottawa since July 16, 2005 when they took on the now-defunct Renegade franchise.

“I thought the defence played tremendous football for 60 minutes,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “We finished strong in the fourth quarter. We got a punt return in the fourth quarter. They (Ottawa) did a tremendous job last week playing defence — they’re a defensive football team.”

WR Simon Charbonneau-Campeau picked up a gain of 18 yards to begin what looked to be a promising opening drive for Calgary, however QB Bo Levi Mitchell committed an inopportune turnover on the very next play. First-round draft pick DB Antoine Pruneau tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage which fell into the arms of DL Jonathan Williams who rumbled 34 yards untouched for Ottawa’s first defensive touchdown at TD Place.

Two series later, Mitchell had back-to-back carries of 10-plus yards as the offence methodically marched downfield. Second string QB Drew Tate then came on in a third-and-one situation deep in the red zone and managed to pick up not only a fresh set of downs, but a much-needed six points, sneaking untouched behind the left side of the offensive line. The Rene Paredes covert tied up the game at seven apiece with under three minutes left in the opening quarter of action. The Stampeder special teams unit prevented a lengthy kickoff return on the following play, and the defence then did their part by preventing the RedBlacks from picking up a first down. 

Holding a distinct advantage in terms of field position, Calgary began a second consecutive possession from inside Ottawa territory. Paredes would have an opportunity to give the visitors a 10-7 lead, but only managed to register a single point as his kick was no good from 31 yards out. The miss snapped a streak of 12 straight successful attempts, and was the first errant field goal of 2014 from inside the 40 yard line for reigning CFL special teams player of year.

The RedBlacks then suffered a 16-yard loss as Henry Burris could not escape the rapid pursuit of DL Demonte Bolden, forcing the fourth Brett Maher punt of the game’s opening half. Soon after, Bolden managed to force a fumble by getting to the quarterback once again, however former Stampeder OL J’Micheal Deane was conveniently in position to pounce on the loose ball.

Ottawa received the opening kickoff of the second half, which allowed RB Chevon Walker to rattle off the longest run of the afternoon for either team with a 15-yard pickup. 

The Stamps responded with an even bigger play of their own – a 58-yard downfield bomb to WR Joe West who made a spectacular snag over his left shoulder. Short gains via a Cornish run and a SB Nik Lewis catch were not enough to move the chains, forcing Tate to come on in another short yardage scenario. A poor snap and a strong push from the RedBlack defensive line resulted in a turnover, as DL Keith Shologan scooped up the ball at the bottom of the pile. 

A remarkable reception was made on first down by Ottawa WR Wallace Miles who was able to get one foot down before tumbling out of bounds. Burris would give the momentum right back to the Stamps though, as an inaccurate pass floated directly into the waiting arms of DB Jamar Wall. 

A subsequent Sederrik Cunningham sweep play was executed to perfection, with the former Furman Paladin taking a handoff in the backfield for a 19-yard gain. Paredes then redeemed himself by knocking through a field goal of 32 yards after SB Marquay McDaniel failed to reel in a potential first down pass at the RedBlacks’ 10 yard line. The 11-7 score gave the Stampeders their first two-score lead of the contest.

In the opening stages of the final frame, West made his second grab of over 50 yards to surpass 100 for the first time this season. Making the tackle was DB Eric Fraser, yet another former Stampeder-turned-RedBlack, who was filling in for the injured Eddie Elder. Paredes was again unsuccessful from long range, and a Jamill Smith return out of the out end zone meant Calgary was unable to increase their lead.

Another run from the speedy Cunningham gave the Stamps their second major score, and the 20-yard gallop marked the rookie’s first career touchdown in just his third appearance. He didn’t wait long to cross the goal line for the second time either, as a 67-yard punt return sealed the victory for the visitors. 

“Sederrik played well again,” said Hufnagel. “He got an opportunity to make plays and he made plays. He got two receiver screens and put one into the end zone and got a crease on the punt return and took that to the house. He’s a great, reliable, young receiver and I had a lot of confidence in him that he would do that in the game.”

When Tate took to the field to relieve Mitchell with less than three minutes remaining, the former Iowa pivot pitched the ball out wide to backup RB Hugh Charles who promptly put another six points on the board. The 15-yard scamper was the Stamps’ third touchdown of the fourth quarter. 

In Jon Cornish’s first appearance since suffering a concussion in the season opener versus the Allouettes, the all-star running back registered 74 yards on 16 carries.

Next week sees Calgary take on the Edmonton Eskimos in the annual Labour Day Classic from McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 1^st. The showdown for first place in the West Division can be seen live on TSN beginning at 2:30 MT.