Calgary Stampeders take advantage of turnovers to run over Blue Bombers

Bo Levi Mitchell knows the Calgary Stampeders are a confident group.

The quarterback got more evidence of that in Calgary's 33-18 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.

Stamps receiver Bakari Grant fumbled a catch in the first quarter that Winnipeg recovered. Mitchell said rookie linebacker Alex Singleton told him not to worry, that the defence would get the ball back in one play.

Two plays later, Winnipeg receiver Weston Dressler fumbled a catch and Calgary recovered a possession that led to a Marquay McDaniel 10-yard touchdown reception at 10:37 for a 7-3 lead the Stampeders never relinquished.

"That's just the mindset our team has to create turnovers, help each other out. That's how teams win," Mitchell said.

The Stampeders (2-1-1) took advantage of three Winnipeg turnovers to score a trio of touchdowns.

Pick 6 ends Willy's night

Anthony Parker also caught a 28-yard TD pass after the Bombers turned the ball over on downs, while defensive back Joe Burnett intercepted quarterback Drew Willy and ran 34 yards into the end zone for another.

"That's the type of effort that coach [Dave Dickenson]absolutely wants us to have," said Burnett, whose major made it 26-10 at 5:29 of the fourth quarter.

"I think he preached about that all week coming out and starting fast, playing fast and someone making a big play."

Burnett's TD led to Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea replacing Willy with Matt Nichols a quarterback change Winnipeg fans and critics have been asking for.

The Bombers fell to 1-4 in front of 24,677 fans at a hot, humid Investors Group Field. The team hasn't won a game at home in its past six tries.

Winnipeg did attempt another late comeback, similar to a failed attempt in a July 1 Calgary victory.

Nichols threw an 18-yard TD strike to Dressler at 7:32 of the fourth and a two-point convert pass to Dressler that was good.

That closed the score 26-18, but Mitchell marched the Stamps down the field and connected with Grant on a 33-yard pass he dove for. That set up a five-yard TD catch in the back of the end zone by Simon Charbonneau-Campeau with 2:26 left.

The victory was Calgary's 14th straight after a bye week and eighth straight in Winnipeg.

Placekicker problems

Mitchell completed 29-of-41 pass attempts for 310 yards, three TDs and one interception.

Calgary placekicker Rene Paredes connected on field goals from 49 and 34 yards. He missed two of his four convert attempts to give him five point-after misses this season. Rob Maver added a punt single for the Stamps.

Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock was good on field goals from 46, 42 and 37 yards out and had a punt roll into the end zone for a single.

Willy went 23-of-33 for 234 yards, one interception and no TDs. Nichols was 9-of-15 for 88 yards, the one TD and no picks.

O'Shea wouldn't confirm which pivot would start next week in Edmonton against the Eskimos, saying he'll talk to the coaches.

He explained he put Nichols in after the Burnett TD because Willy tried to force the throw.

"Can't fault him for trying," O'Shea said.

Nichols said he's not thinking about starting next week, while Willy will accept whatever hand he's dealt.

"I would love to [start], butI'm going to watch the film, try to get better, always be a professional and be ready to go," Willy said. "There's nothing I can do about it except stay ready and execute."

O'Shea gave no updates on a slew on injuries his players suffered.

The Bombers lost defensive backs Chris Randle, Macho Harris and Julian Posey, as well as offensive linemen Patrick Neufeld and Jermarkus Hardwick. Backup defensive lineman Jake Thomas had to move to the offensive side of the ball in the third quarter.

The injuries weren't being used as excuses by O'Shea or defensive back Maurice Leggett.

"Get hurt, next man up," Leggett said. "It's a professional league. No matter what, there's no excuses."