Game Summary

The “Battle of Alberta — Round 1” opened the 1997 regular season at McMahon Stadium in Calgary before 25,000 enthusiastic fans. The hometown squad scored first on a 67 yard punting single by Tony Martino. Later in the quarter, last season’s Most Outstanding Rookie – Kelvin Anderson – carried the ball in from the 3-yard line for the first major of the contest. Mark McLoughlin kicked the convert. Edmonton shaved a point off the Calgary lead early in the second quarter when Sean Fleming scored a single on a missed 30-yard field goal attempt. The Stamps added to their lead before the end of the half as Jeff Garcia hit Terry Vaughn for an 11‐yard touchdown pass. McLoughlin’s convert attempted was good putting the Stamps on top by 14 heading into the locker room at half-time. Edmonton scored first in the second half as Danny McManus threw a 22-yard strike to newcomer Robert Gordon. Fleming’s convert cut the Stamp’s lead to 7. Calgary regained their 14-point cushion later in the third quarter as Jeff Garcia scampered in from the 9-yard line for the major. McLoughlin kicked the convert. Edmonton kicker Sean Fleming put his second single of the day on the scoreboard mid way through the fourth quarter on a 46-yard punt. At 12:28 RB Tony Burse cut into the Calgary lead capping a 56-yard drive with a 3 yard run. The Fleming convert left the Eskimos trailing by 6 with 2:32 remaining to play. Edmonton’s defence held the Stamp’s on their next possession giving QB Danny McManus a chance to move the ball and he did just that. McManus led the Eskimos from their own 22-yard line calling on Burse once again to cap the drive. Burse’s 1-yard plunge tied the game. The Eskimos took the lead when Fleming split the uprights with the convert attempt. Again, the Edmonton defence shut down Calgary’s final attempt to regain their lead. Score the 1997 battle of Alberta, Edmonton 1, Calgary 0.