Polevy Mitchell Finally, it was back to Calgary to face the Stampeders.
The veteran quarterback will start Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday night, when they visited Runner inside Compact fluorescent lamp Opening game for both teams.
It will be a trip home for the 34-year-old Mitchell, who spent his first 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League in Calgary, leading the team to two Grey Cup titles and winning the league's Outstanding Player award twice.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) on the sidelines during a Canadian Football League preseason game against the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, May 25, 2024 in Hamilton, Ontario.
Canadian Press/Peter Power
This will be the fifth time Calgary opens the season against Hamilton, but the first time since 2018. The Stampeders are 4-0 all-time, with all games played at McMahon Stadium.
But Mitchell compiled a brilliant 92-29-2 record in 123 Canadian Football League starts and had an overall record of 47-13-2 with the McMahons.
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Calgary transferred Mitchell's rights to Hamilton after the '22 season, and Mitchell signed with the Tiger-Cats shortly after. However, due to injuries, Mitchell made only six starts with his new club, going 2-4, completing 78 of 132 passes (59.1%) for 1,031 yards, six touchdowns, and ten interceptions.
With injuries to Mitchell and veteran Matt Hilts (now with Calgary), rookie Tyler Powell had the opportunity to start nine games. The 25-year-old American performed well, completing 197 of 292 passes (67.4%) for 2,283 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while rushing 28 times for 196 yards (7-yard average) and a touchdown.
Both teams will be looking to get off to a strong start this season. Despite making the playoffs last year, both teams are below .500, with Calgary (6-12) recording its first regular-season loss since 2007.
Hamilton is 8-10 in each of the past two seasons and has a new head coach in Scott Milanovich, who replaces Orlondo Steiner, who has stepped down from coaching to become the team's president of football operations full-time.
Dave Dickenson is entering his second season as Calgary's head coach/general manager, but has been the head coach since 2016. Under Dickenson, the Stampeders have won 10 or more games five times and won the '18 Grey Cup.
Jack Myers returns to the Calgary center position. The 27-year-old American finished third in the Canadian Football League in passing last year (4,244 yards), but he threw nearly as many touchdown passes (19) as interceptions (15) and was 13-17 as a starter.
Veteran receiver Reggie Begleton (86 catches, 1,119 yards, five touchdowns) will also return for Calgary, but Malik Henry will miss his second straight season due to injury. Henry had 62 catches, 1,023 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2022 and was awarded a three-year contract extension by the club.
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