Key Points:
– Jake Maier outduels Bo Levi Mitchell, passing for 252 yards and 2 TDs in Stampeders win
– James Butler rushes for 119 yards on 13 carries in losing effort for Tiger-Cats
– Stampeders start season 1-0 while Tiger-Cats fall to 0-1

The Calgary Stampeders opened their 2024 CFL season with a 32-24 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium on Friday night. With the win, the Stampeders start the year 1-0 while the Tiger-Cats begin 0-1.

In a highly anticipated matchup, Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier got the better of former teammate Bo Levi Mitchell, who returned to Calgary for the first time as a member of the Tiger-Cats. Maier completed 21 of 26 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, outshining the two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player. The Stamps also got rushing touchdowns from Ante Milanovic-litre and field goals from Rene Paredes.

For Hamilton, James Butler was the offensive standout, rushing for 119 yards on 13 carries. Mitchell passed for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss. Receiver Shemar Bridges led the Ticats with 7 receptions for 85 yards.

Stampeders Recap

Jake Maier efficiently orchestrated the Calgary offense, spreading the ball around to his playmakers.

Top receiving targets were:
– Clark Barnes: 6 rec, 61 yds, 1 TD
– Reggie Begelton: 4 rec, 45 yds
– Cam Echols-Luper: 3 rec, 40 yds, 1 TD
– Marken Michel: 2 rec, 47 yds

On the ground, Dedrick Mills paced the Stamps with 87 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Defensively, the standouts were:
– Demerio Houston: 7 tackles, 1 INT
– Bentlee Sanders: 5 tackles
– Rodney Randle Jr.: 5 tackles
– Cameron Judge: 4 tackles
– Micah Awe: 4 tackles

Tiger-Cats Recap

Bo Levi Mitchell had a solid performance in his Hamilton debut but it wasn’t enough to earn the road win.

Top receivers were:
– Shemar Bridges: 7 rec, 85 yds
– Tim White: 6 rec, 55 yds
– Steven Dunbar Jr.: 5 rec, 48 yds
– Brendan O’Leary-Orange: 4 rec, 62 yds

James Butler was excellent on the ground with 119 yards rushing.

On defense, the Tiger-Cats were led by:
– Dexter Lawson Jr.: 6 tackles
– Lawrence Woods III: 5 tackles
– Kyle Wilson: 5 tackles
– Ray Wilborn: 5 tackles
– Kenneth Jr George: 4 tackles

After a promising opener, can the Stampeders carry this momentum into Week 2 and put last year’s losing season behind them? As for the Tiger-Cats, how will they rebound from this season-opening defeat on the road? Ticats fans, give us your thoughts in the comments.