Calgary Stampeders 23 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 22
Rob Maver’s third field goal of the game from 23 yards out gave Calgary its 23rd point of the game; it was just enough to beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and improve to 2-0 on the season. Maver, a 24-year old from Brampton, Ontario, was selected 5th overall in the 2010 draft to replace Sandro DeAngelis, who now plays for…the Tiger-Cats.
“Every single day, before I go to play a game, I mentally prepare myself to win it with a kick,” said Maver. “It’s fun to go do that.” Maver also connected on field goals from 24 and nine yards out.
Hamilton’s Marcus Thigpen scored the first points of the game on a 93-yard punt return in the first quarter. Romby Bryant’s 17-yard touchdown catch from Henry Burris leveled the score at seven apiece. Sandro DeAngelis added a 35-yard missed field goal single to give the Tiger-Cats an 8-7 lead after the first quarter.
Markeith Knowlton blocked a Burke Dales punt and recovered the ball on the Stampeders’ 25-yard line; that led to a 42-yard field goal by DeAngelis. Mavers kicked a 24-yard field goal while Hamilton punter Justin Palardy added a 79-yard punt single to give the Tiger-Cats a 12-10 lead. Thigpen scored his second touchdown of the game on a 33-yard pass from Kevin Glenn. Maver’s second field goal of the game brought Calgary to within six points at 19-13 heading into halftime.
The lone points of the third quarter were scored when Nik Lewis reeled in a 15-yard pass from Henry Burris to give the Stampeders a 20-19 lead.
The two football clubs traded field goals late in the 4th quarter. DeAngelis converted on a 21-yarder with 1:10 left in the game, but a 59-yard Calgary drive set up Maver’s winning kick.
DeAngelis had a chance to win the game even after Maver’s third kick of the day, but the 59-yard field goal was blocked, preserving Calgary’s one-point victory.
Hamilton’s Kevin Glenn completed 26 of 34 passes for 356 yards and the one touchdown to Marcus Thigpen. Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris went 24-of-37 passing for 257 yards and the two touchdowns. Burris also threw a pass to Hamilton’s Jason Shivers.
Saskatchewan Roughriders 37 B.C. Lions 18
Darian Durant completed 18 of 29 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown to lift the Roughriders to a 37-18 victory over the B.C. Lions; Durant also carried the ball 4 times for 33 yards, scoring once on a 14-yard run. Prechae Rodriguez caught five passes for 58 yards and was the recipient of a 4-yard touchdown pass from Durant.
Roughriders running back Wes Cates ran the ball 14 times for 86 yards, scoring one touchdown from two yards out.
Luca Congi made all three of his field goal attempts from 31, 28, and 32 yards out; Congi also made four converts in the game.
It was the first regular-season game at Empire Field in Vancouver, and it wasn’t a good one for the B.C. Lions, whose offense often struggled on second down. In addition, Lions quarterback Casey Printers was injured late in the first half after being sacked by Saskatchewan’s Brent Hawkins; Travis Lulay took over quarterbacking duties.
Printers finished the game 10-of-14 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown to Geroy Simon. Lulay went 9-of-14 passing for 197 yards and also one touchdown to Simon.
Lions kicker Paul McCallum made a 16-yard field goal and added a 45-yard single.
