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Calgary downs Winnipeg, clinches Western Division title

Oct 19, 2014 - 2:47 AM Winnipeg, MB (SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Cornish rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown, as the Calgary Stampeders clinched first place in the Western Division with a 33-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Investors Group Field.

Cornish did his damage on 21 carries for Calgary (13-2), which won its second straight West title. Bo Levi Mitchell completed 18-of-28 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, with Anthony Parker (eight receptions, 71 yards) his leading receiver.

Paris Cotton racked up 108 yards and two scores on 14 attempts as Winnipeg (6-10) was eliminated from playoff contention. Brian Brohm was 14-of-23 for 194 yards, while Robert Marve (5-of-10, 64 yards) also saw time under center.

The Stamps got out to a 14-0 lead less than nine minutes into the game. Mitchell hooked up with Brad Sinopoli for a 25-yard touchdown pass on the game's opening drive. The signal caller tossed a 51-yard scoring strike to Joe West less than three minutes later.

The Bombers got on the board with a 26-yard field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu with 2:01 left in the first quarter. Calgary added a single at the end of the frame to make it 15-3.

Hajrullahu knocked through another field goal early in the second quarter (29 yards). The rest of the half was quiet, with the only other score coming on a single from Calgary, as the visitors carried a 16-6 lead into the halftime locker room.

Winnipeg chipped away at its deficit with a single early in the third quarter, but Calgary responded on its ensuing drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Drew Tate.

Calgary gave the ball back to Winnipeg late in the third quarter after conceding a safety. The Bombers made the Stamps pay a few minutes later with a 35-yard run by Cotton to get within one score, 23-16.

The Stamps made their lead 10 early in the fourth on a 41-yard field goal by Rene Parades, but the Bombers kept the game close on their next drive with another touchdown run by Cotton, this time from 10 yards out.

Nursing a three-point lead, Calgary retained possession with under five minutes to play and marched down the field to seal the win with a 9-yard touchdown run by Cornish.

Game Notes

Calgary has secured a first-round bye and will host the West Final on Nov. 23 ... The Stamps are now 8-0 after a bye week under coach John Hufnagel ... Clarence Denmark had a game-high 86 receiving yards on just three catches for Winnipeg ... Brohm made his first career start for the injured Drew Willy ... The Bombers have lost seven in a row.