For a large portion of the game, the Calgary Stampeders were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
They mustered just two field goals and a missed field goal attempt on their three forced turnovers.
A holding penalty negated an Eric Rogers touchdown in the third, which would’ve given them the lead in a time where all they had offensively was a pair of field goals.
But in the end, it was breakout star Tre Roberson blocking a potential-game winning field goal in the final minute to secure a narrow 19-18 victory for Calgary over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Roberson had five tackles and an interception as well.
The winning score came on a Rogers touchdown in the fourth, and Bo Levi Mitchell moved to 12-0 in his career against Hamilton, who haven’t won a game in Calgary since 2004.
Their win can be accredited to a forceful second half. After lagging in the first 30 minutes, both their offence and defence made adjustments at the break to silence Dane Evans.
The Stamps defence allowed just one point in the final two quarters. On top of the special teams prowess, a fumble recovery and a late Derek Wiggan sack to force Hamilton out of field goal range stood out as a couple of reasons why they got the win.
But it was a different story when they went into the locker rooms.
Hamilton held a 17-6 lead on the strength of Brandon Banks’ third touchdown against the Stamps this year which was the game’s only touchdown of the opening half.
Both offences took a couple of drives to settle in, but it was clear Evans got his footing before Mitchell, in his third game back from injury. At one point Evans had a streak of 12 consecutive completions.
Evans flirted with 250 passing yards before the first two quarters were done and finished with 360 on 34-for-43 passing with an interception and the touchdown to Banks.
It wasn’t until the third where Mitchell found his stride, turning to Rogers, and starting the back half going 7-for-9. They were still without a touchdown but Rene Paredes’ four field goals kept the game within reach.
Mitchell finished with 342 passing yards on 24-for-40 passing and a touchdown.
It was at the seven minute mark of the fourth when Rogers secured his touchdown which would stand this time around, that Calgary took their first lead and didn’t let go. Rogers finished with 129 receiving yards, and Begelton’s 106-yard performance moved him past the 1,000 receiving yard plateau on the year.
The Stamps are in Toronto next week – the only other team Mitchell has yet to lose to – while Hamilton squares up against Edmonton.
