Latest news with #Stampeders
Ottawa Citizen
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Five takeaways as Calgary Stampeders pummel Edmonton Elks in final preseason game
Article content A first-play first down followed by a first-drive touchdown. Article content That's the way to get the home fans feeling good about the Calgary Stampeders for the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Article content Even better was parlaying that early success into a convincing win over the rival Edmonton Elks in the CFL pre-season final for the Stampeders — a 31-4 decision Saturday night in front of 15,531 fans at McMahon Stadium. Article content Article content Strong performances? Check. Article content Article content A desired result? Double check. Article content The Elks didn't offer much in the way of starters — 40 rookies peppered the visiting team's roster — but it still makes for a feel-good start for a franchise in need of it this season. Article content And with that the Stampeders are off to the regular season — with a monster break between now and their first game Saturday, June 7 against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon (5 p.m., CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge, TSN). Article content Here are five takeaways from the Stamps win in Langford, B.C. … Article content Fans at McMahon got their first look at Vernon Adams Jr., and the much-heralded quarterback acquired in the off-season strutted his wares. Article content The prized QB — nicknamed 'Big-Play V.A.' — was gunning right from the start and moving the ball with authority, instantly wiping away the stumbles seen at the position of previous years which have maligned the offence. Article content Article content Points were scored on all three drives Adams engineered — a couple of touchdowns on QB sneaks by fellow pivot Logan Bonner and a 52-yard field-goal bombed by veteran kicker René Paredes. Article content After that, it was P.J. Walker's chance to show his wares at quarterback for the Stampeders. And he marched the club downfield on a handful of drives, hooking up with receiver Daylen Baldwin on a 13-yard TD on a third-and-long gamble in the fourth quarter. Article content Josh Love mopped up at QB for the Stamps.
Calgary Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Five takeaways as Calgary Stampeders pummel Edmonton Elks in final preseason game
Article content A first-play first down followed by a first-drive touchdown. Article content That's the way to get the home fans feeling good about the Calgary Stampeders for the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Article content Even better was parlaying that early success into a convincing win over the rival Edmonton Elks in the CFL pre-season final for the Stampeders — a 31-4 decision Saturday night in front of 15,531 fans at McMahon Stadium. Article content Article content Article content A desired result? Double check. Article content The Elks didn't offer much in the way of starters — 40 rookies peppered the visiting team's roster — but it still makes for a feel-good start for a franchise in need of it this season. Article content And with that the Stampeders are off to the regular season — with a monster break between now and their first game Saturday, June 7 against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon (5 p.m., CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge, TSN). Article content Fans at McMahon got their first look at Vernon Adams Jr., and the much-heralded quarterback acquired in the off-season strutted his wares. Article content The prized QB — nicknamed 'Big-Play V.A.' — was gunning right from the start and moving the ball with authority, instantly wiping away the stumbles seen at the position of previous years which have maligned the offence. Article content Article content Points were scored on all three drives Adams engineered — a couple of touchdowns on QB sneaks by fellow pivot Logan Bonner and a 52-yard field-goal bombed by veteran kicker René Paredes. Article content After that, it was P.J. Walker's chance to show his wares at quarterback for the Stampeders. And he marched the club downfield on a handful of drives, hooking up with receiver Daylen Baldwin on a 13-yard TD on a third-and-long gamble in the fourth quarter. Article content Josh Love mopped up at QB for the Stamps.
Global News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Elks face first pre-season test in Calgary on Saturday
The optimism and hype are high for the Edmonton Elks after the end of the 2024 season, which started a culture shift. Chris Morris was hired as the new president and CEO, Ed Hervey as the vice-president of football operations and general manager, and Mark Kilam as head coach. Hervey went to work in free agency and rebuilt the roster. Saturday night's pre-season game is the first test for the 2025 version of the Elks as they visit the Calgary Stampders at McMahon Stadium. Sixty-two players will dress on Saturday for the Elks. They will be led by quarterback Cody Fajardo, who will serve as the backup to starter Tre Ford once the regular season begins in two weeks. Fajardo will start at quarterback for the Elks on Saturday before giving way to rookies Will McElvain and Cody Snyder, who are competing for the third quarterback spot. Story continues below advertisement Other battles to watch on Saturday are at kicker, receiver, defensive end and the secondary. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Campbell Fair, a 2023 Stampeders draft pick, is competing for the place-kicking job with Elks 2024 draft pick Vincent Blanchard. The Elks' receiving corps is pretty well set, with four starters sitting on Saturday. It includes second-year players Zach Mathis and Arkell Smith, along with a crop of rookies led by Georgia product Kearis Jackson. Two veterans are competing for one defensive end spot in Canadian Jonathon Kongo and American Brandon Barlow. The secondary is the deepest and most competitive position in training camp, where three veterans are being pushed by rookies. Veterans Marcus Lewis, Devodric Bynum and Kobe Williams will play on Saturday in an effort to lock down their spots for the 2025 season. The following are the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks: Offence Quarterback: Cody Fajardo Running back: Artavis Pierce (fullback: Bradley Hladik) Offensive line: Mark Evan II, Phil Grahovac, Jaxon Morkin, Gregor MacKellar, Clayton Bradley Receivers: Binjimen Victor, Jalon Calhoun, Zach Mathis, Arkell Smith, Kearis Jackson Defence Defensive line: Jonathon Kongbo, Quincy Ledet Jr., Shakel Brown, Noah Taylor Linebackers: Clayton Isbell, Joel Dublanko, Chelen Garnes Defensive backs: Marcus Lewis, Devodric Bynum, Kenneth Logan Jr., Kobe Williams, JJ Ross You can hear Saturday's pre-season game between the Elks and Stampeders on 880 CHED, starting with Countdown to Kickoff with Courtney Theriault at 6 p.m. The opening kickoff from McMahon Stadium will be at 7:30 p.m. with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell calling all of the live action. Hear analysis from former Edmonton Football Team offensive lineman and two-time Grey Cup champion Blake Dermott.
Ottawa Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Coach expects Calgary Stampeders to 'be sharp' in 2025 home debut
Article content The Calgary Stampeders take the field for one final audition Saturday looking to put more than just a performance they can proud of together. Article content They also want results. Article content Where pre-season is forever about evaluating what you've got and never really about what the scoreboard says at the end of each game, the bottom line for this Canadian Football League contest certainly has some meaning for a club desperately trying to find and maintain an upward trend. Article content Article content 'We take it very seriously — take it very seriously,' confirmed Stampeders middle linebacker Marquel Lee, ahead of Saturday's pre-season finale against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium (7:30 p.m., CHQR 107.3 FM/770 AM). Article content Article content 'It's a game at the end of the day,' continued Lee. 'But we don't get many opportunities to come out and do our craft. So anytime we can come out and dominate and show our stuff and put together a win, we want to do that. Article content 'And we want to get better. This is only our third or fourth week being together, so we've still got to build on the things that we need to build on going into the season and we want to use this as opportunity for a dress rehearsal and get those things together. Article content 'But we also do want to win.' Article content Article content With that, the Stampeders set up to go out and win Saturday with at least half of their expected season-starters in for the early part of exhibition contest. Article content Article content Very few got the opportunity to play in last Monday's pre-season victory — 26-16 — over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. Article content But there are some not quite ready for prime-time with injuries holding them back until the start of the regular schedule. Article content 'I've probably got seven or eight, maybe even 10 guys that won't play that could be starters,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, of his roster against the incoming Elks. 'But … yeah … definitely, if you can play and you're healthy, we want to give you that opportunity to go compete. Article content 'Timing-wise for a lot of them, it will be their first pre-season game, because I left a good chunk of guys home last week,' continued Dickenson. 'I'm not expecting perfection but expecting them to play fast and physical and be sharp. Just play with your eyes — don't try to do too much, meaning take what the defence gives you.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach expects Calgary Stampeders to 'be sharp' in 2025 home debut
The Calgary Stampeders take the field for one final audition Saturday looking to put more than just a performance they can proud of together. They also want results. Where pre-season is forever about evaluating what you've got and never really about what the scoreboard says at the end of each game, the bottom line for this Canadian Football League contest certainly has some meaning for a club desperately trying to find and maintain an upward trend. 'We take it very seriously — take it very seriously,' confirmed Stampeders middle linebacker Marquel Lee, ahead of Saturday's pre-season finale against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium (7:30 p.m., CHQR 107.3 FM/770 AM). 'It's a game at the end of the day,' continued Lee. 'But we don't get many opportunities to come out and do our craft. So anytime we can come out and dominate and show our stuff and put together a win, we want to do that. 'And we want to get better. This is only our third or fourth week being together, so we've still got to build on the things that we need to build on going into the season and we want to use this as opportunity for a dress rehearsal and get those things together. 'But we also do want to win.' Special teamers in Calgary Stampeders camp: Battles at hand at punter, returner Offensive linemen in Calgary Stampeders camp: Battle on to fill big centre void With that, the Stampeders set up to go out and win Saturday with at least half of their expected season-starters in for the early part of exhibition contest. Very few got the opportunity to play in last Monday's pre-season victory — 26-16 — over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. But there are some not quite ready for prime-time with injuries holding them back until the start of the regular schedule. 'I've probably got seven or eight, maybe even 10 guys that won't play that could be starters,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, of his roster against the incoming Elks. 'But … yeah … definitely, if you can play and you're healthy, we want to give you that opportunity to go compete. 'Timing-wise for a lot of them, it will be their first pre-season game, because I left a good chunk of guys home last week,' continued Dickenson. 'I'm not expecting perfection but expecting them to play fast and physical and be sharp. Just play with your eyes — don't try to do too much, meaning take what the defence gives you. 'As a group, you've still got to run the ball and use your feet as a quarterback to extend plays. So those are the things we're looking for.' Of course, there's a couple of positions where the starting man remains unsettled for the Red and White. That brings on battles — especially at running back, along the offensive and defensive lines, at linebacker, in the secondary, with the punters and in the return game. 'You don't know how many reps you're going to get,' Dickenson said. 'Take advantage the opportunities. Play aggressive — don't play not to make a mistake. And put your best foot forward. 'The thing I've always thought about is if you take care of your business and it doesn't work out for you, you feel a little better about yourself. What you don't want, as a player is, 'I'm not prepared. I'm not playing the way I should play,' and that's when you have regrets. 'Just take care of your business, be ready when your number's called and give it everything you've got.' Every CFL team must be down to their playing roster by May 31. That is comprised of 45 active players, 10 practice-roster types practice roster types and those shifted to injured reserve. For the Stamps, that includes a decision likely to be made at quarterback behind starter Vernon Adams Jr., although it'll be the franchise's prized acquisition which gets the call to arms under centre for 'about a half,' said Dickenson. 'I just want positive plays (Saturday),' said Adams, who's looked strong in training camp for the Stampeders even though he admits to not being 100% comfortable with the new offence just yet. 'You know … no turnovers and let's score some touchdowns. So we get out there and do what we plan to do and let the other guys get in and do what they need to do. 'You're trying not to peak too early but just excited for the opportunity for the guys, the team and this organization to get out here and put on a good show for the fans,' continued the top-shelf QB. 'And that's what we plan to do.' Yes … given this is the season debut at McMahon, there's that will — after the many personnel changes and mission statements during the off-season — to give the home-town crowd a team to get behind. That fact may be as important as anything happening Saturday for the Stampeders. 'I think it's about coming out and being in our home stadium and showing the Stampeders fanbase our brand of football — what we want to bring to the season,' added Lee. 'Play-in and play-out, we want to show how we want to operate and our physicality and our togetherness. 'And we want to just show the crowd that there's a new sheriff in town.' tsaelhof@
