The Stampeders won the Western Division Final because of their defense. Full stop. BC dominated offensively hanging onto the ball for 20 minutes in the first half and rolling for 243 total yards. Calgary amassed less than 60 yards heading into the final three minutes of half time yet the score was only 9-2 in favour of BC. The Lions started almost every possession with a short field, around their 40, and managed to dominate the middle of the field gaining big yards running. Every play seemed to be 12-14 yard gains. Calgary's run defense was tested and essentially lost allowing over 140 yards total on the ground. However, in the red-zone, where it counts, Calgary stood tall, very tall.
Labinjo Shows Wake How It's Done
Ian Logan ran rampant on Calgary's D even when they lined up to stop the run. However, Calgary made key stops including a goal line stand that lead to BC loss of a total of five yards keeping them out of the endzone again.
The inability for BC to score a major despite their red zone appearances was further hindered when BC tried to be cute by putting Jarious Jackson at QB. Problem is Jackson fumbled on the two and Calgary recovered. The turnover would be returned by Burris via an interception, yet, even at the 1, Calgary made the stop forcing another field goal.
Calgary came out in the second half changing the game plan, rather tweaking it. The result was shutting Logan down forcing Buck Pierce to find receivers, only 24 yards offense in the third. BC turned out offensive numbers like Calgary did in the first.
Browner's interception came much later when Geroy Simon had a huge catch and run gain but yet again Calgary kept the offense to a fieldgoal. The difference was the two majors Calgary scored and the defence making a clutch interception with a minute to go in the forth quarter courtesy of Brandon Browner.
Point Calgary D, in fact, I would contest BC has a better run offense which should bode well going into Montreal. The aerial attack we give the edge to Montreal. However, everything changes on gameday when the past is forgotten and the present is all that matters.
