HAMILTON, Ont. — The Calgary Stampeders scored two defensive touchdowns and put up 20 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 44-20 on Saturday at Hamilton Stadium.
Calgary (4-4) led 10-6 after the first quarter and 24-9 at halftime. Hamilton (3-5) closed within five points in the third quarter before the Stampeders pulled away, winning the turnover battle 4-1.
Marc Liegghio opened the scoring with a 50-yard field goal at 4:47 of the first quarter. Dejon Brissett put Calgary in front with a 43-yard touchdown catch from Vernon Adams Jr. at 6:26, and Jude McAtamney made it 10-3 with a 53-yard field goal at 11:55, set up by Anthony Johnson's 32-yard return of a Tre Ford fumble that Kyle Wilson forced. Liegghio closed the quarter with a 41-yard field goal at 14:29.
Tyreik McAllister ran 15 yards for a touchdown at 13:28 of the second quarter. Forty-five seconds later, Wilson returned a Harrison Frost fumble 28 yards for a touchdown. Liegghio kicked a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
Hamilton replaced Ford with Frost at quarterback late in the first half. Ford completed four of 10 passes for 58 yards and rushed four times for 52 yards. Frost threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Lawler at 1:49 of the third quarter, and Liegghio's 28-yard field goal cut Calgary's lead to 24-19. The Stampeders did not score in the quarter.
McAtamney kicked field goals of 48 and 29 yards in the fourth quarter, with a Hamilton punt single in between. Quincy Vaughn scored on a four-yard run with 2:57 remaining, and Derrick Moncrief returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown 26 seconds later.
Adams finished with 252 passing yards, including his league-leading 21st touchdown pass of the season. Brissett led Calgary receivers with 109 yards, and Dedrick Mills led the Stampeders with 44 rushing yards.
Hamilton finished with advantages in total yards (395-338), rushing yards (172-86), first downs (22-14) and time of possession (33:18 to 26:42). The 20 points were the fewest Calgary has allowed in a game this season.
This recap is brought to you in part by Animas Painting — interior and exterior painting in Calgary. Reach Rafael at 403-604-5529.