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National Post

Dedrick Mills, Vernon Adams Jr. power Stampeders to season-opening win over Tiger-Cats

Dedrick Mills scored one touchdown in the 2024 CFL season. He started 2025 with three in a single game for the Calgary Stampeders. Article content The Stampeders downed the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-26 in the season-opener for both clubs Saturday. Article content Article content Mills rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries, while quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 19-of-28 pass attempts for 284 yards, and rushed for 33 yards on three carries, in his highly anticipated Stampeder debut. Article content Mills handed off the white cowboy hat as his team's offensive player of the game to his offensive linemen. Article content 'They did their thing and they got me in the end zone three times, so of course, man, I had to give it to them,' Mills said. 'They deserved it.' Article content Adams' backup P.J. Walker contributed a short-yardage touchdown and Rene Paredes kicked field goals from 42, 29 and 38 yards in front of an announced 18,682 on a breezy, hazy evening at McMahon Stadium. Article content Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Kenny Lawler scored his first touchdown as a Tiger-Cat. Isiah Wooden returned a kickoff to score, while Marc Liegghio booted field goals from 47, 37 and 25 yards. Article content Article content The Stampeders acquired Adams in a trade with the BC Lions a month after their 5-12-1 season ended in 2024. Article content He was intercepted twice in Saturday's second quarter, but distributed the ball efficiently for 428 yards of net offence. Article content Adams scrambled out of the pocket to connect with Clark Barnes on a 65-yard passing play that Mills finished for a 34-11 lead to start the fourth quarter. Article content Article content The Stampeders scored on their first drive of the game when Adams marched the offence 85 yards on nine plays. Article content 'It's always important to get some points on the first drive if you can,' Adams said. 'I like receiving the ball because if we can go down and do that, that puts pressure on their offence to do it. Article content 'Defence did a good job. Rene was Rene. And that was awesome operation on the special teams. Article content 'It wasn't pretty by any means, but it's a win and it's so hard to get wins in this league. We have a really good team and once we get it together, get it clicking, I think we're going to be special.' Article content Article content It was too little, too late when Ticats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell found rhythm in his offence as the Stampeders had built a 15-point lead by the first play of the second half. Article content Mitchell completed 31-of-50 pass attempts for 304 yards and a touchdown throw in an interception-free start, but Hamilton also turned the ball over on downs three times.