Bo Levi Mitchell achieved a significant milestone in his CFL career by leading the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 42-20 victory over his former team, the Calgary Stampeders. Mitchell threw for 450 yards and five touchdowns in a dominant performance that secured his first win over Calgary since leaving the team after spending 10 seasons with them. This victory was particularly meaningful for Mitchell, who expressed his satisfaction with finally defeating his former team and putting that chapter to rest.
In addition to Mitchell’s standout performance, other former Stampeders players, including Jonathan Moxey, Richard Leonard, and Ante Litre, also made impactful contributions to the Tiger-Cats’ victory. Moxey’s interception in the first quarter set the tone for Hamilton’s strong start, allowing them to build a significant lead over Calgary in the first half. Head coach Scott Milanovich praised the team’s early performance and highlighted the importance of the interception in disrupting Calgary’s momentum.
Mitchell’s exceptional performance against Calgary solidified his position as a top performer in the CFL, leading the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. He achieved his third 5,000-yard passing season, a milestone that Milanovich acknowledged as significant for Mitchell, especially given his history with Calgary. Despite facing some adversity early in the game, Calgary managed to narrow the gap in the fourth quarter, but ultimately, Hamilton’s lead was insurmountable.
The victory over Calgary marked Hamilton’s fifth win in six games, showcasing their strong form towards the end of the season. Despite their impressive performance, the Ticats fell short of qualifying for the CFL playoffs, finishing with a 7-10 record. In contrast, Calgary struggled throughout the season, failing to win any road games and missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades. Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, Calgary was unable to overcome Hamilton’s dominance in the game.
Hamilton’s offensive prowess was evident in their balanced performance, with multiple players, including Steven Dunbar Jr., Tim White, and Jevoni Robinson, contributing touchdowns to secure the victory. Kicker Marc Liegghio also played a crucial role by converting field goals and extra points to extend Hamilton’s lead. Calgary made some late-game efforts to narrow the margin, but Hamilton’s strong start proved to be too much for them to overcome, leading to their ninth consecutive winless streak.
The game also had a sentimental moment as Hamilton announced the retirement of Hall of Famer Garney Henley’s jersey in the upcoming season, honoring him alongside other franchise legends. Despite facing challenges throughout the season, Hamilton demonstrated their resilience and determination to finish strong. Looking ahead, Hamilton will face Ottawa in their next game, while Calgary will take on Saskatchewan as they aim to end their season on a positive note. Mitchell’s performance against his former team showcased his leadership and determination to succeed, further solidifying his legacy in the CFL.
