The Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos renewed hostilities at McMahon Stadium on Sunday, but the Stamps, led by QB Bo Levi Mitchell, proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the visitors.
The Stampeders disposed of the Eskimos 43-18 to secure their spot in th 102nd Grey Cup Championship Game against the Hamilton Ti-Cats.
Calgary entered the Western Final well rested after compiling a CFL best 15-3 record in the regular season which gave the team a bye through the Western Semi-Finals.
The Stampeders opened the scoring 3:47 into the first quarter when Bo Levi Mitchell found Marquay McDaniel for a 46 yard touchdown. The convert gave Calgary an early 7-0 lead.
The Eskimos attempted to respond on their following drive but the offence stalled. A Hugh O'Neill punt sailed through the end zone to give Edmonton its first point of the game. With 7:01 left in the first quarter, the Stampeders are up 7-1.
The first Matt Nichols led drive of the game ends with Adarius Bowman coughing up a fumble. The Stampeders recover the ball at their own 28.
In the second quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau hooked up for a 60 yard toss. A roughing the passer penalty extended the gain and Mitchell finished the five play drive with a two yard rushing touchdown. 14-1 Calgary.
Fred Bennett intercepted a Mike Reilly pass, giving the Stampeders offence great field position. A missed Rene Parades 35 yd field goal attempt resulted in the second rouge of the game. With 10:38 remaining in the second quarter, the Stampeders lead 15-1.
The first half rout continued with 8:42 remaining in the second quarter when a Mitchell dump pass to Jon Cornish resulted in a 72 year run through Edmonton's defence which ended in paydirt. Stampeders 22- Eskimos 1.
A Hugh O'Neill 42 yd field goal, with 1:51 remaining in the half, put a small dent into the Stamps lead. The Eskimos trail 22-4.
The Stampeders did not go gently into halftime. With 40 seconds left, Bo Levi Mitchell threw his fourth touchdown reception of the game. Eric Rogers was the recipient of the 18 yard toss which has the Stampeders up 29-4.
The Stampeders continued their dominance, as the third quarter opened with Eric Rogers catching his second touchdown of the day. The 30 yard catch gave the Stampeders a 36-4 lead with 10:06 remaining in the third stanza.
Edmonton's first TD of the game came with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter. Paris Jackson caught a three yard pass from Mike Reilly for the major. Calgary's lead is cut to 36-11.
The Eskimos continue to roll in the third quarter as an Adarius Bowman TD catch reduced the Stampeders cushion to 18. With 3:00 remaining in the third, the Stampeders are up 36-18.
Eskimos QB Mike Reilly was carted off early in the fourth quarter. Matt Nichols is in as the Eskimos pivot facing an 18 point deficit.
With less than four minutes left in the game, the Eskimos elected to go for it on a third and four deep in their own zone but the Stampeders defense knocked down a Matt Nichols pass. The Stampeders take over on downs with a comfortable 36-18 lead.
Jon Cornish ended a short drive with his second touchdown of the game. The rushing TD gives Calgary a 43-18 lead with 2:18 left on the clock.
The 102nd Grey Cup Championship Game will be played at B.C. Place on Sunday, November 30 at 4:00 p.m. MT.
