Photo courtesy: Zach Dittberner/B.C. Lions
The Calgary Stampeders returned home after a month on the road to a hostile Mother Nature, who poured rain on the announced crowd of just over 17,000 at McMahon Stadium. Worse yet, the hometown heroes fell late in a game that could have long-term ramifications on their hopes of getting to a home Grey Cup.
The game swung back and forth for the first 45 minutes, with B.C. taking a 20-18 lead into the final frame. That’s where I found the five plays that decided the contest.
Dedrick Mills injured — Last play of Q3
The Stampeders were backed up on their goal line late in the third quarter trailing by a pair, when Vernon Adams Jr. looked downfield, saw all his receivers covered, and attempted to dump the ball underneath to Dedrick Mills.
Mills came into the game as the league’s leading rusher and has often been able to turn situations like this into improbable first downs when he finds himself in space.
Unfortunately for the Stampeders, not only was there no space for Mills to work, but the running back was immediately blasted by Deontai Williams. He took a hit to the head that necessitated him coming out of the game.
Rushing duties fell to National running back Ludovick Choquette, who was able to gain 11 yards on three carries in the fourth quarter.
If Mills misses any time, the Stampeders’ vaunted running attack will certainly lose some of its explosiveness. Mills is second only to Justin Rankin in Edmonton for rushes of longer than 10 yards.
Adams injured on scramble — 11:19 left in Q4
As if losing the league’s leading rusher wasn’t enough, on the next series, the team lost the league’s league leader in touchdown passes.
A rapidly collapsing pocket caused Vernon Adams to scramble for a Stampeders first down, but in the effort, he was planted right onto the crown of his helmet. Shortly thereafter, he was unintentionally kneed in the head as well.
Adams appeared to have been knocked unconscious on the play and was down on the field for a long time, as teammates took a knee. He eventually walked off the field and would return to the sideline a few minutes later, but did not come back into the game.
If Adams misses substantial time, the season may be lost in Cowtown.
McAtamney misses — 3:00 left in Q4
Calgary scored a touchdown to take a three-point lead after Anthony Johnson intercepted Nathan Rourke, putting the Stamps deep in Lions territory. They finished a short drive with a Quincy Vaughn sneak for a touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Stamps found themselves with the ball again after Lions returner Stanley Berryhill fumbled while running into a teammate.
Things were looking up for Calgary in that moment as a pair of turnovers offered them an opportunity to escape with a victory. Unable to get a first down, the Stampeders sent rookie kicker Jude McAtamney out to increase the lead to six.
McAtamney had made four field goals already in the game, but missed a convert before sending this 39-yard kick well wide and deep enough that it went sailing out of the back of the end zone for no points, in accordance with the rule changes that took place before this season. Previously, a single point would have been awarded, and the Stamps would have had a four-point lead.
Ultimately, this kick changed the complexion of everything to come, as another Lions’ TD forced Calgary to find the end zone themselves, trailing by four instead of just a single point.
The miss drops McAtamney’s accuracy rate to 84.6 percent on the season, with four misses on 26 attempts. Combine this shank with the Week 1 miss in a two-point loss to Winnipeg, and people could be forgiven for asking a little more about the health of Rene Paredes. The future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer hasn’t played yet this season due to injury, but has always had as much ice in his veins as Arnold Schwarzenegger did when he fought Batman.
McInnis’ big reception — 2:45 left in Q4
The Lions essentially got the ball back right where they lost it after the missed field goal attempt, and Nathan Rourke made quick work of a drive that took the lead away for good.
Rourke found Justin McInnis in tight coverage across the middle of the field. The Canadian target then shook off a tackler and took off into open space, eventually gaining 59 yards on the play and putting B.C. on the Calgary 11-yard line.
It was a terrible time for the Stampeders to lose contain. The Lions would soon be in the end zone, as Rourke hit Keon Hatcher for his second touchdown of the day to put B.C. up by four.
Love Interception — 0:30 left in Q4
Stampeders fans know that the QB pipeline that once produced Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson, and Henry Burris as four consecutive elite starters is a thing of the past.
However, when Josh Love got the ball with just a few minutes left in the game, there had to be hope that the backup QB could weave a little of that magic and lead the team to a comeback win.
Love would get the ball on the Stampeders ‘ 46-yard line and got down to the Lions’ nine-yard line with just a few seconds left on the clock. Then, he threw an interception into the waiting arms of Lions’ defender T.J. Lee, who seemed to be waiting for the throw at the goal line.
While Love is to blame for the decision, the team was forced into the throw due to the circumstances on the scoreboard because of the missed kick from a few moments earlier.
Next up
Given the injury situation for their two biggest stars on offence, the Stampeders are likely thrilled to know they don’t play another game until August 29, when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit McMahon Stadium.
There will have to be a massive run of wins, including the pair of games against Edmonton that follow, in order to keep playoff hopes alive.
