THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
John Hufnagel said it wasn’t Calgary’s best game by any means, but like we saw in the Grey Cup last November, when it comes to the big moments, clutch players just know how to get the job done.
Three key players pitched in on three key points for the Stamps, helping them earn a thrilling season-opening win over the Tiger-Cats on Friday night.
After trailing almost the entire game, Bo Levi Mitchell rallied the Stampeders on a highlight-reel completion to Jeff Fuller on third down and 17, while Rene Paredes provided the game’s winning points on a last-play 50-yard field goal to give Calgary a 24-23 victory.
“I’m very much pleased with the outcome – pleased with our resilience and our never quit attitude,” the Stamps’ head coach and general manager John Hufnagel told Stampeders.com. “But there are a lot of things we need to clean up.”
“Not a lot of smart football by the Red and White,” he added. “Fortunately we made some plays to stay in the game and some unbelievable plays on that last drive to get the win.”
It was a dramatic escape by the skin of their teeth, but the Stampeders picked up right where they left off last November. The Champs are 1-0 and have now won 18 of their last 21 meaningful games dating back to the start of 2014.
HIGHLIGHTS: CGY 24, HAM 23
