CALGARY 41 B.C. 21
Two quarter-backs with something to prove spurred the Calgary Stampeders to a 41-21 win over the B.C. Lions on Friday.
The result meant nothing in the CFL standings. Both clubs went into the game knowing their immediate playoff fate. The Lions (12-5) had already secured first place and the Stamped-ers (11-6) second in the CFL's West Division with wins the previous week.
The Stampeders host the division semifinal Nov. 11 at Calgary's McMahon Stadium. The victor heads to Vancouver to face the Lions in the West final Nov. 18.
So the plot of this no-stakes games was how Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate would fare in his first game back from shoulder surgery in July and how head coach John Hufnagel would deploy his quarterbacks Tate and Kevin Glenn.
Glenn started all 14 games in Tate's absence and had won seven of his previous nine heading into Friday. Tate, who wrestled Calgary's starting job from Henry Burris late last season, dislocated his shoulder in the second game of the season.
His return to action sooner than anticipated presents the possibility that Hufnagel could have two quality quarterbacks ready for the playoffs, if Tate can shake off his game rust.
Glenn completed 10 of 17 pass attempts for 173, which gave him over 4,000 passing yards for the season, and threw for a touchdown. Tate was 5-for-7 for 68 yards and a touchdown pass. He was intercepted once.
On the other side of the field, Lions backup Mike Reilly got his second career CFL start in Travis Lulay's absence. Lulay has a sore shoulder and playing him Friday gained B.C. nothing, so the Lions rested him.
Reilly was 19-for-26 in passing for 261 yards and two touchdown passes, but he was sacked eight times. With almost a month until their next meaningful game, B.C.'s game lacked urgency and intensity in the first half.
With Glenn and Tate staging an internal competition, Calgary's offence wasn't sitting back. The Stam-peders built a 34-0 lead by early in the second quarter before the Lions responded.
Malik Jackson, Maurice Price, Nik Lewis and Corey Mace scored touchdowns for the hosts in front of an announced crowd of 27,014. Lewis reached 100 receptions and 10 touchdown catches for the season, which are career highs for the slotback.
Calgary defensive end Anwar Stewart had a big night with four of Calgary's eight sacks, as well as a pass knockdown in the Lions' red zone. Stampeder kicker Rene Paredes contributed four field goals in the win, which was Calgary's first this season against the Lions after a pair of losses.
With 84 yards on the ground Friday, Calgary's Jon Cornish is 46 away from Norm Kwong's record for the most rushing yards in a single season by a Canadian running back (1,437).
B.C.'s Geroy Simon had a touchdown catch for the Lions in his first game back after sitting out three with a hamstring injury. Tim Brown ran a punt return back 55 yards for a major and Akeen Foster had a scoring catch for the Lions.
Reilly was sacked four times and completed just 60 per cent of his passes in the first half.
