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October 10, 2016

How the West was won

Calgary Stampeders' wide receiver Lemar Durant pushes off Toronto Argonauts' Lirim Hajrullahu during first half CFL action in Toronto, Monday, October 10, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Moving to 13-1-1, the Calgary Stampeders wrapped up the West Division title with a convincing 48-20 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Thanksgiving Monday at BMO Field.

The Red and White totaled six quarterback takedowns, Jerome Messam surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in 2016 and head coach Dave Dickenson tied the all-time mark for wins in a season by a rookie head coach.

Early on, Bo Levi Mitchell hooked up with DaVaris Daniels for a 42-yard gain and Messam converted an ensuing third-and-short. The bruising tailback then finished off the game’s initial drive with a one-yard plunge before walking in the two-point conversion.

On the Argos second possession of the game, short-yardage pivot Dan LeFevour was stuffed by Derek Wiggan for a turnover on downs inside Toronto territory. Rene Paredes soon came on for a field goal of 35 yards and was able to add three points for the visitors.

To conclude the first quarter, Kamar Jorden reached out for a 41-yard touchdown behind coverage. Daniels was left open in the end zone on the two-point try for a 19-point lead.

Calgary recorded eight first downs in the opening 15 minutes while the Argonauts were unable to move the chains on any of their three series.

A 26-yard reception for Andre Durie of the Argos preceded a Ja’Gared Davis sack in the second stanza. Lirim Hajrullahu then put the Boatmen on the board with a boot through the uprights from a distance of 41 yards.

Following an impressive pickup, Messam’s fumble was pounced on by Marcus Alford, but Toronto was unable to capitalize on an eventual first-and-goal scenario. Instead, Hajrullahu split the uprights from 14-yards out.

With under six minutes to go until halftime, Daniels surpassed the 100-yard plateau for the fourth time in his first eight appearances with a 61-yard touchdown catch. The Notre Dame product leaped up for the snag before making a defender miss en route to pay dirt.

Plowing his way toward the goal line shortly thereafter was Messam, gaining 25 before being brought down at the four-yard line. Andrew Buckley punched it in from there.

With time ticking down, Mitchell and the Stamps offence marched into Paredes range where the placekicker nailed a 28-yarder.

As the third commenced, Charleston Hughes got to Drew Willy prior to Jorden using his full extension to block a Hajrullahu punt. Trotting on three plays later for a 36-yard three-pointer was Paredes.

But the Argonauts would respond with a Justin Hickman strip-sack of Mitchell, as Shawn Lemon recovered the fumble and eventually pitched the ball to Jermaine Gabriel. Then, a Tommie Campbell stumble left Kenny Shaw all alone for 10-yard score to cut their deficit to 25.

Yet another lengthy burst by Messam set up Rob Cote’s touchdown in the final frame, his second of the season.

Reserve signal callers Drew Tate and Buckley shared reps in relief of Mitchell with over 12 minutes remaining.

A Dionte Spencer 10-yard TD and a Paredes field goal of 20 yards concluded the scoring.

Calgary will face the 4-10 Montreal Alouettes at McMahon Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Stamps annual PinkPower initiative.