Stampeders clinch Grey Cup berth for 2nd straight year
The Calgary Stampeders earned a trip to the Grey Cup for a second straight year Sunday, battling past the Edmonton Eskimos for a 32-28 win at home in the West Final.
Calgary sealed the game, which featured numerous momentum swings, on a fumbled punt return by the Eskimos in the final seconds. McMahon Stadium went into a frenzy as the officials ruled the Stampeders had recovered the loose ball.
In an odd fourth-quarter decision, Edmonton coach Jason Maas elected to kick a field goal in the opposing red zone with under two minutes left while his team trailed by a touchdown.
For the Stamps, the win means they'll return to the championship game, where they lost to the Ottawa RedBlacks in an overtime classic one year ago. Coincidentally, this year's Grey Cup will take place in Ottawa.
Veteran quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly starred for their respective clubs, but the former came out on top. Mitchell went 20-of-32 for 228 yards and a touchdown; Reilly went 23-of-38 for 348 yards and a touchdown.
Calgary got off to a rough start, falling behind 14-0 by the end of the first quarter, but made up for it with a big second frame. The Stampeders took a 22-15 lead into halftime.
Dave Dickenson's crew outscored Maas and Co. 9-3 in the third quarter, but Edmonton fought back with a 10-1 fourth. In the end, the Eskimos' effort - while valiant - wasn't enough.
Calgary will meet the Toronto Argonauts, who came out of the East after topping the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in the big game Nov. 26.