Mitchell, Stampeders take advantage of Tiger-Cats' penalty woes

The Calgary Stampeders were the epitome of a bend-don't-break team during a 30-24 home win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday.

The Stampeders (7-1-1), who ran their unbeaten streak to eight games, have allowed the fewest touchdowns in the CFL under defensive coordinator DeVone Claybrooks' command. Hamilton (4-5) got a 439-yard passing day from quarterback Zach Collaros, but only got into the end zone once during the first 55 minutes at McMahon Stadium.

Collaros resuscitated the Tiger-Cats with two late touchdowns, including one that trimmed the lead to three points with 47 seconds left. Calgary got out unscathed after Brett Maher's onside kickoff sailed out of bounds untouched and Rene Paredes added some insurance with a 45-yard field goal.

The Tiger-Cats, who blew a chance to take the East Division lead, hurt their cause with 14 penalties for 125 yards, compared to five for 22 against Calgary. They also lost more than 25 seconds during their comeback bid when Collaros forced a pass into the end zone that cornerback Tommie Campbell intercepted and returned 115 yards for a touchdown. Hamilton kept possession after coach Kent Austin successfully challenged for an illegal contact penalty on Calgary's Joe Burnett, but Hamilton could have used that time for their last possession.

Calgary, which has a full week to prepare for their traditional Labour Day week home-and-away series with the archrival Edmonton Eskimos (5-4), had issues finishing drives. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell broke the seal with an 11-play, 76-yard march that produced a touchdown and a two-point convert to open a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Veteran slotback Marquay McDaniel, who had a mostly quiet night, got free for a 24-yard sideline reception to set up the TD.

Mitchell was 27-of-37 for 323 yards and one touchdown, while his offensive line allowed zero sacks, shutting down Tiger-Cats stars John Chick and Ted Laurent. Calgary got touchdowns from rookie DaVaris Daniels (five receptions for 108 yards) and veteran RB Jerome Messam (14 rushes for 46). Paredes was 5-of-5 on field goals.

Mitchell is 35-7-1 as a starter, giving him an all-time CFL record .826 winning percentage.

Collaros was 34-of-53 for 439 yards and three TDs. Terrence Toliver made nine receptions for a game-high 183 yards and scored twice. Luke Tasker had 10 receptions for 100 yards, including a touchdown and a two-point convert. Maher was 1-of-1 on field goals.

Even Hamilton's best stretches were affected by penalties. The Tiger-Cats had two touchdowns nullified during a 13-play, 90-yard drive. Tolliver made it official with a 21-yard scoring grab on second and goal, freezing Campbell with a double move to get open in the end zone.

Calgary needed only one play to get that back. Daniels, a Notre Dame alumnus who made his CFL debut last week, got behind defenders Brandon Sermons and Courtney Stephen for a 76-yard pass-and-run touchdown.

Hamilton hosts the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 5 in the traditional Labour Day Classic. Only three points separate the East Division teams. The Argonauts (4-4) begin a busy week against the BC Lions (6-3) on Wednesday, while the first-place Ottawa RedBlacks (4-4-1) visit the Montreal Alouettes (3-6) on Thursday.