By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

Arguably the most spectacular play in Calgary’s road victory over the Argos came as a former Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle soared over the goal line for six points.

Reserve running back Tory Harrison caught a short pass from Bo Levi Mitchell in the fourth quarter, sidestepped a defender and found the end zone with a full extension.

“They pretty much just put me one-on-one with a linebacker and got me out in the flat,” explained Harrison when asked about the play-call from the sideline. “I caught the ball and then the move was basically instincts — I saw him at the last second and I just basically just reacted off of him. The (end zone) was so close and I didn’t want to be denied, so I just pretty much dove in.”

A designated home game for Argonauts, the Week 17 contest was played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton as the Toronto Blue Jays playoff run has forced the Boatmen out of Rogers Centre.

As a result of the relocation announced last Tuesday, Saturday’s contest was played before just 3,401 fans in attendance. The atmosphere was in stark contrast to the Stamps’ last game away from home, which happened to come at the same venue in front of a sold-out crowd of faithful Ticats supporters.

“The environment wasn’t what I expected it to be,” the Leesburg, Fla., native said. “We just had to make our own momentum by making plays. I’ve played in a few games like that. That’s why I know games like that can be tough, and that’s why you’ve just got to stick together as a team and feed off each other.”

With Wednesday’s acquisition of tailback Jerome Messam from Saskatchewan, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2011, Harrison understands the situation in Calgary’s now-crowded backfield. Messam, Jon Cornish and Matt Walter are all proven veterans who add additional value on the roster as national players.

“I just control what I can control,” expressed Harrison, who was signed to the Stampeders’ practice roster in August of last season. “I can’t control when I get in the game or this and that. I just know when I get in (a game), I just want to make the most of it.”

The timely win against Toronto not only precedes the team’s second bye week on the schedule, it also keeps pace with their Alberta rivals for first place in the standings.

“I think at this time of the year, every game is important,” No. 34 stated. “We’re basically banking off Edmonton to make a mistake, so we’ve just go to control what we do and take it game by game.”