REGINA — Rene Paredes‘ last-minute field goal sealed the Calgary Stampeders’ second-straight win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders 22-19.
After an explosive first play by the Stamps’ offence, both teams settled in and traded field goals while their respective defences limited big plays and recorded a combined five sacks.
While neither was able to find the end zone, both running backs made their presence felt. On 20 carries, Ka’Deem Carey racked up 109 yards while William Powell churned out 41 yards.
Through the air, Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 296 yards, a touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Cody Fajardo finished the evening with 191 yards passing and a touchdown.
Paredes finished the night 5/6 kicking with his game-winning 44-yard attempt being his longest on the night.
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Stampeders K Rene Paredes kicks game-winning FG Photo: Riderville.ca
The fireworks started early in Mosaic for the Stamps as on the very first offensive snap following the opening kickoff, Mitchell found Markeith Ambles for a 71-yard strike. After hauling it in, Ambles tore up the sideline for an additional 30 yards and the game’s first touchdown.
Now facing their first deficit of the game, the Riders collected the kickoff and marched down their field. While their threatening offence stalled out at the Calgary 37 yard line following an incomplete pass intended for Kyran Moore, Brett Lauther split the uprights to get the Green and White on the board.
The Stampeders would continue their aerial attack on the Riders’ secondary late in the first quarter. After a four-completion drive by Mitchell found the Stamps in Rider territory, a near interception would prompt a Paredes field goal.
Following a later miss by Paredes, a 51-yard return by Jamal Morrow would provide the Riders’ offence with great field position.
Fajardo would make good on the Riders ensuing possession as he would cap off a seven-play, 76-yard drive by finding Ricardo Louis who would slip past a Stampeder defender for a Riders’ touchdown. Lauther’s extra point would tie the game up at 10.
After being sacked twice on their previous drive and being forced to punt, Calgary would provide what seemed like the final points of the first half as Paredes knocked through a 12-yard attempt.
With 46 seconds remaining in the half, Fajardo and the Riders’ offence would work their way down the field. After Fajardo was pushed out of bounds with minimal time left by Shawn Lemon, Lauther’s last-second field goal from 52 yards out on the left hash would send the teams to the locker room all tied up at 13.
Similar to the first half, Calgary would strike first once play resumed as Paredes flew his third field goal of the evening through to reclaim the Stamps’ lead.
Morrow’s contributions on the Riders’ special teams would not be confined to just returning the ball as he would strip Malik Henry on a punt return inside the Calgary territory for the game’s first turnover.
The Riders would capitalize on the Stamps’ turnover following a touchdown pass to Brayden Lenius that was reviewed and subsequently overturned, Lauther would tie the game once again.
Following a Mitchell interception that ended in the hands of Nick Marshall, the Riders offence took the field looking for their first lead of the game.
After failing to connect with Powell on a deep ball, Lauther took the field once again. This time his field goal from 40 yards out gave the Riders a 19-16 lead.
Calgary’s ensuing possession would see a trick play as after Colton Hunchak collected the ball on a jet sweep from Mitchell, he launched a 35-yard pass, finding Josh Huff. Following a five-yard rush by Powell, Levi Mitchell would throw his second interception of the game as Loucheiz Purifoy came up with it.
The Stamp’s next possession would provide points as Paredes would tie the game at 19 off his foot from 43 yards out.
After both teams traded possessions late in the fourth, Fajardo and the Riders’ offence started on their own 10 with under two minutes to play. After stalling out and being forced to punt, Mitchell and the Stamps offence looked to seal the win.
Working their way down to the Rider’s 37-yard line prompted a game-winning 44-yard attempt for Paredes to seal the Stamps’ second-straight win.
The Riders will enjoy a Week 11 bye before getting right back at it in Calgary for the series finale. In the meantime, Calgary will travel to BC to take on the Lions on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.