Stampeders demolish Redblacks 48-3, playing perhaps their best game this year

The Calgary Stampeders have had plenty of highs and lows this year, sometimes even in the same game, but they put on a pretty great performance from the opening kickoff to the final whistle Saturday night against the Ottawa Redblacks. The Stampeders led 8-3 after the first quarter and really turned it on afterwards, leading 31-3 at the half and eventually winning 48-3. Much like Hamilton's 52-22 demolition of B.C. earlier on Saturday, this was a complete team performance in the victory, with Calgary's offence, defence and special teams all coming through. That's a great sign for the Stampeders, who got off to a bit of a slow start this year, but now seem to be finding the form that led them to a championship last season.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was the biggest star for Calgary Saturday, completing 17 of 25 passes (68 per cent) for 243 yards and two touchdowns and rushing three times for 22 yards and two further touchdowns. He had plenty of help, though; Stampeders' receivers Eric Rogers (five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown), Joe West (two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown), and Marquay McDaniel (four catches for 47 yards) all shone Saturday. The Calgary ground game wasn't as good, with running backs Matt Walter and Tory Harrison combining for just 59 rushing yards on 17 carries, but the aerial attack was more than enough to put up points.

However, the Stampeders' scoreline was also largely enabled by the superlative play of their defence and special teams. TSN broadcasters Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor noted on-air late in the game that CFL lead statistician Steve Daniel had calculated that Calgary's average drive start position was the Ottawa 53. It's incredibly rare to see a team starting drives in opposing territory, and that's a big part of why they put up so many points. Great punting from Rob Maver (an average of 45.6 yards on 12 punts, including two inside the five), good special teams coverage (including a forced and recovered fumble by Joe Burnett deep in Redblacks' territory), nice defensive stops and solid punt and kick returns from Tim Brown meant that the Stampeders often gave their offence a short field.

The Calgary defence was also terrific Saturday night. They recorded five sacks and a pick on the night, and held Ottawa quarterback (and former Stampeder) Henry Burris to seven completions on 17 attempts (41.2 per cent) for just 114 yards. Backup Thomas DeMarco was even worse, completing one of his eight passing attempts for seven yards with an interception before giving way to Danny O'Brian, who was better (nine completions on 10 attempts for 58 yards), but largely played in garbage time. Calgary also shut down Ottawa's ground game, holding Chevon Walker to 11 yards on seven carries and Jeremiah Johnson to 10 yards on three carries. It was a complete effort from them, and combined with the performances of their offence and special teams, it was a great day all around for the Stampeders. If they can keep this up, they'll be one of this league's most feared teams.