Bo Levi Mitchell

Bo Levi Mitchell (born March 3, 1990)^[1] is an American gridiron football quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He played in college at Eastern Washington. He became the starting quarterback for the Stampeders in the 2014 season and set a number of club and league records, including the best record for a starting quarterback in league history (12 wins, 1 loss).

Prep career

Mitchell graduated from Katy High School in Texas in 2008. As a senior in 2007, he passed for 2,451 yards and 37 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He led Katy to an undefeated season and a state championship. He was named to the Houston Chronicle’s Houston Top 110. Mitchell chose to attend SMU over an offer from Hawaii. Mitchell was also recruited by Eastern Washington.^[1]

College career

SMU

Mitchell played two seasons at SMU, starting all 19 of the games he played. In his career, he completed 385-of-676 passes (57.0 percent) for 4,590 yards (241.6 per game) with 36 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. His efficiency rating was 121.8.

As a sophomore in 2009, he started SMU’s first seven games before suffering an injury and being replaced by freshman Kyle Padron. Mitchell completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,725 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, for a passing efficiency rating of 117.9. However, SMU was 3-4 in those seven games before winning five of its last six to finish 8-5 and defeat Nevada 45-10 in the Hawaii Bowl.^[1]

Eastern Washington

As a junior in 2010, Mitchell transferred to Eastern Washington University, which has previously recruited Mitchell out of high school. He helped lead EWU to the NCAA Division I FCS National Championship with a 20-19 come-from-behind victory over the University of Delaware, the school's first national championship in football. He was named the game's Most Outstanding Player after throwing three touchdown passes in the final 16 minutes of the game and had 302 total passing yards in the game as well.^[2]

In 2011, Mitchell led the FCS in four statistical categories, including passing yards (4,009) and touchdown passes (33) on his way to breaking four school records. He broke EWU's record for single season passing yards with 4,009, which ranks 17th in FCS history and fifth in Big Sky Conference history. Mitchell went on to win the Walter Payton Award as the best offensive player in the FCS and was also named the 2011 Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Mitchell was also named to seven All-America teams this season, earning first team honors on six of them. He was the top quarterback on teams selected by The Sports Network, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Phil Steele Publications and Beyond Sports College Network.^[2]

Professional career

Calgary Stampeders

Bo Levi Mitchell, starting quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders, on the field at McMahon Stadium during the Canadian Football League's Western Division Final on 23 November 2014. In the backfield is Jon Cornish.

Mitchell went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. On April 30, 2012, the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League signed Mitchell to a free agent contract.^[3] Mitchell saw limited playing time in the 2012 CFL season, playing as a 3rd-string backup behind Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn and ahead of Brad Sinopoli. Bo Levi Mitchell began the 2013 CFL season as the 3rd-string QB. Mitchell came in the third-quarter after Kevin Glenn left with an injury (Drew Tate was already injured) and helped the Stamps to overcome a 24 point deficit to defeat the Alouettes on July 22, 2013.^[4]

In his first CFL start, on July 26, 2013, Mitchell completed 29 of 33 attempts while passing for 376 yards, in a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Mitchell won the Gibson's Finest Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. The 2013 season proved to be a breakout season for Mitchell. He played significant time at quarterback in 5 of the games, and appeared in another 7 games. His completion percentage was an impressive 69.6%, throwing for 1,156 yards with 10 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions: A quarterback rating of 111.2.

On January 14, 2014, Mitchell signed a contract extension with the Stampeders that will keep him in Calgary through 2016.^[5] On June 14, 2014, Mitchell began the 2014 pre season with the Calgary Stampeders. The first week/game he played one quarter and ended the night with 76 passing yards in a 23-20 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. On June 20, 2014 in the second week of pre season against the BC Lions Mitchell threw for 100 yards, 0 TD'S and 2 INT. On the week of June 22 Bo Levi Mitchell was named the starting QB for their week 1 game against the Montreal Alouettes. On opening day, Bo Levi Mitchell gave the Calgary Stampeders their first win of the season 29-8 against the Montreal Alouettes. Mitchell had 313 passing yards and 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. On Thursday, July 24, 2014, Bo Levi Mitchell tied Jeff Garcia's CFL record for consecutive career starts, going 7-0, with a 26-22 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos.^[6] On 23 November 2014, in his first playoff start, Mitchell led the Stampeders to a victory in the Western Final over division rival Edmonton Eskimos, earning them a berth in the 2014 Grey Cup.^[7] He and the Calgary Stampeders would go on to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 in the 102nd Grey Cup. Mitchell was named Grey Cup MVP. On March 3, 2015, his 25th birthday, Mitchell signed an extension with the Stampeders to keep him in Calgary through the 2018 season.^[8]

Career statistics

References

External links

• Calgary Stampeders bio Archive copy at the Wayback Machine
• Eastern Washington Eagles bio