Adams throws for 422 yards as Stampeders beat Redblacks, stay in playoff hunt
Graphic: Provectus Media (PM)
OTTAWA — Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 422 yards and three touchdowns, and Clark Barnes delivered a late 60-yard touchdown as the Calgary Stampeders beat the Ottawa Redblacks 45–31 on Saturday for their second straight win.
Calgary improved to 7–8 and remains fifth in the West, but is very much in the playoff race. The Stampeders are level with Winnipeg (7–7) at 14 points, though the Blue Bombers have a game in hand. Saskatchewan and B.C., both 8–6, sit two points ahead.
With Ottawa and Hamilton eliminated, fourth place in the West will secure a crossover berth in the East playoffs.
Adams completed 24 of 30 passes without an interception, leading an offence that produced 525 yards and went 3-for-3 in the red zone. Calgary finished without a turnover.
Jalen Philpot caught six passes for 127 yards and reached his first 1,000-yard receiving season. Tevin Jones caught all eight of his targets for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Barnes added three receptions for 109 yards and the decisive score.
“When it’s a one-on-one out there, I think of it as a 90-10 ball for those guys,” Adams told Stamps TV. “And I believe they’re gonna come down with the rock.”
Calgary led 25–13 at halftime and 35–13 after three quarters, but Ottawa scored 18 fourth-quarter points to make the finish uncomfortable. Barnes supplied the answer, turning a short throw into the touchdown that sealed the win.
Head coach Dave Dickenson explained that Barnes’ score came on a “smoke route,” giving Adams a quick option against an all-out blitz.
“Great decision by Vernon and great play by Clark,” Dickenson said.
McMahon contributed a rushing touchdown and a 12-yard receiving score, while McAllister scored on a 28-yard run. Rene Paredes made all three field-goal attempts, including a 49-yarder, and all five extra points.
Ottawa generated 488 yards, with McLeod Bethel-Thompson throwing for 418. Calgary held the Redblacks to 52 rushing yards, but Dickenson acknowledged his defence still needs to find ways to get off the field.
He was encouraged by his team’s response when Ottawa pushed back.
“Even when they started kind of getting some points on offense, guys stayed together and played hard,” Dickenson said.
For Philpot, the victory came with a milestone he credited to the people around him.
“I couldn’t do it by myself. It’s a full team effort, so I’m just very thankful,” he said.
Calgary now heads to Regina for a Week 18 meeting with Saskatchewan on Friday, Oct. 2, at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Calgary time. A third straight victory would give the Stampeders eight wins and pull them level on points with the Roughriders, who have lost two straight.
Postgame quotes from interviews published by Stamps TV, including Natasha Staniszewski’s player interviews.
This recap is brought to you in part by Animas Painting — interior and exterior painting in Calgary. Reach Rafael at 403-604-5529.