By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com 

The Calgary Stampeders concluded their pre-season schedule with an unblemished 2-0 record by earning a 37-29 victory in Regina over the Roughriders on Friday.

“Offensively we had dropped passes, but we were a different team in the second half,” head coach and general manager John Hufnagel said of his club’s performance. “I was glad to see our team come out of the locker room and change things. With only one penalty in the second half, that was a big factor in us getting the win.”

Saskatchewan received the game’s opening kickoff and was unable to produce a first down after a pair of incomplete passes by QB Darian Durant.

Following the subsequent punt, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell overthrew WR Joe West on first down before committing a turnover on the next play from scrimmage. Rookie linebacker Jeff Knox Jr. intercepted the reigning Grey Cup MVP on second down before being chased down by Stamps wideout Kamar Jorden.

The turnover led to the game’s first points as Durant located WR Chris Getzlaf in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. The Roughriders were limited to six points on the scoring drive, however, as the point-after attempt from the 32-yard line – a new rule instituted for the 2015 season – was unsuccessful after a bobbled snap.

When Mitchell returned to the field to lead the offence on Calgary’s second possession, he connected with WR Joe West for a 54-yard gain deep into Riders territory. Veteran placekicker Rene Paredes put the Red and White on the board eight plays later with a field goal from 14 yards out. Sophomore signal caller Bryant Moniz saw action behind centre on the drive prior to the Paredes chip shot, recording a five-yard scamper.

In the opening stages of the second quarter, DB Buddy Jackson was flagged for a pass interference infraction in the end zone while matched up against WR Jamel Richardson. The costly penalty set up a first-and-goal scenario, and backup quarterback Brett Smith promptly crossed the goal line for a 13-3 advantage.

Sederrik Cunningham returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards, and a shoestring tackle by Paul Woldu was all that prevented the Furman product from finding pay dirt. A trio of consecutive runs by perennial all-star Jon Cornish paved the way for Moniz to score on a one-yard plunge as Calgary reached double digits on the scoreboard.

An abbreviated five-play, 15-yard drive was capped off by a 47-yard Chris Milo field goal in response to the Stampeders’ major. Mitchell was stripped of the ball by rookie Telvion Clark just four plays later which set up another three points from Milo. With six minutes remaining until halftime, the Roughriders led 19-10.

A deep field goal attempt from Paredes was then wide right, allowing 2015 first-round draft pick Nic Demski to burst down the sideline for a 48-yard return.

Jeff Hecht picked off Durant in the heart of the secondary on second-and-long shortly thereafter before Paredes trotted on to knock through a 51-yard field goal before the break.

Starting the third quarter for the Stamps was Drew Tate, who connected with first-year receiver Lemar Durant for 13 yards before making way for McMaster alum Tyler Crapigna. The most successful field goal kicker in CIS history cut the lead to three from 31 yards out.

Ex-Eskimo Hugh O’Neill took the place of Milo to try a 44-yard field goal, but could not spilt the uprights. Recently-signed return specialist Tim Brown brought the ball out to Calgary’s 22-yard line on the errant attempt.

Entering the game next for the home side was pivot Kevin Glenn, who spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Stampeders. Glenn went on to orchestrate a touchdown drive by finding Victoria, BC native Alex Carroll for a 22-yard score as the Riders went up by 10 points.

Before the third quarter expired, DB Adam Berger recovered a fumble forced by newcomer Eric Taylor, as the big defensive lineman jarred the ball loose from RB Steven Miller. With prime field position to begin the final frame, Moniz eventually scored with assistance from the Stamps’ short-yardage unit for his second touchdown of the evening.

O’Neill made up for his earlier misfire with a field goal from 43-yards out for a six-point lead with under nine minutes left in the contest.

After scoring the lone touchdown in last week’s matchup with the Lions, former NFL-wideout Greg Wilson ran under a Tate toss for a lengthy pickup. Jorden was spotted in the end zone four plays later, and Crapigna nailed the convert to give the Stampeders their first lead on the night.

Two Durant receptions of over 10 yards and a red zone rush by Keith Toston preceded a third touchdown for Moniz, clinching the win for the visitors.

“(There) will be hard decisions,” Hufnagel said post-game in advance of Saturday’s 8 p.m. MDT deadline to trim the active roster to 46 players. “At receiver, a lot of guys out there made plays from old guys to new guys to young guys. We’ll just have to hopefully make the smart decisions.”

The team will now focus their attention to their Week 1 matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from McMahon Stadium. The June 26 regular season opener will be broadcast live on TSN and Newstalk 770 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. MDT.