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Calgary takes down BC in opener

Jun 29, 2013 - 5:32 AM Calgary, AB (Sports Network) - Jon Cornish gained 172 rushing yards on 24 carries while adding a pair of touchdowns as the Calgary Stampeders knocked off the British Columbia Lions, 44-32, in the season opener at McMahon Stadium.

Drew Tate completed 19-of-27 passes for 237 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Calgary (1-0), which earned an emotional home win just days after torrential rain brought devastating flood damage to the city.

Maurice Price hauled in six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown for the Stampeders, while Joe West (five receptions, 51 yards) was on the receiving end of both of Tate's other scoring strikes.

For BC (0-1), Travis Lulay also finished with three touchdown passes and an interception, making good on 21-of-36 passes for 283 yards in the process. Emmanuel Arceneaux, who spent 2009 and 2010 with the Lions before a brief stint in the NFL, racked up 103 receiving yards and a major in his CFL return.

The first quarter was dominated by Calgary. Tate capped off a nine-play opening drive by connecting with Price on an 11-yard major, and later in the quarter he added another score, this time a 12-yarder to West. After picking up a safety, the Stampeders brought their lead to 16-0.

BC finally lit up the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Lulay and Arceneaux hooked up for a 53-yard scoring strike, but Calgary fired back on its next possession with a Cornish 1-yard touchdown rush.

After the Stampeders added a single and forced a quick punt by BC, they continued to tack on to their lead as Tate found West in the end zone once again, this time from 15 yards out, and Calgary extended their advantage to 31-6 prior to intermission.

The Lions scored a much-needed touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, with Courtney Taylor reeling in a 17-yard major from Lulay. The momentum continued in BC's favor less than a minute later when Cord Parks intercepted a Tate pass and returned it 45 yards for a score, inching the Lions even closer, 31-21.

However, the Stampeders halted their slide late in the third quarter when Cornish plunged over the goal line from 11 yards out.

Rene Paredes kicked two field goals (40, 27) in the fourth quarter for Calgary, which spent a large portion of the final frame milking the clock with Cornish.

BC added a touchdown in the game's waning seconds, with Lulay connecting with Shawn Gore from six yards out.

Game Notes

The Calgary defense also shined in the win, with Jonathan Hefney recording 10 tackles, Charleston Hughes sacking Lulay three times and Derrius Brooks intercepting a pass ... Lulay was BC's leading rusher with 55 yards ... Cornish announced on his Twitter earlier in the week that he would donate 10 dollars for every yard he gained in tonight's game towards flood relief efforts ... Cornish's 1,457 rushing yards last season was an all-time, single- season best for a Canadian-born player.