Elks erase 18-point deficit, stun Stampeders 38-28 in Labour Day Classic

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders were in control of Monday’s Labour Day Classic until the Edmonton Elks took over in the fourth quarter.



Edmonton scored 24 unanswered points in the final quarter, overcoming an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat Calgary 38-28 in front of more than 25,000 fans at McMahon Stadium, the Stampeders’ largest home crowd of the season.



Calgary led 25-7 after Vernon Adams Jr. connected with Clark Barnes for a 41-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Edmonton responded with 31 of the game’s final 34 points, including Justin Rankin’s 50-yard touchdown run that gave the Elks a 31-28 lead late in the fourth.



The loss dropped Calgary to 5-7 and denied the Stampeders an opportunity to record consecutive victories for the third time this season. Edmonton improved to 9-3.



“We just lost rhythm,” Stampeders general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson said. “We kept our defense on the field too long, and then they wore out. The tackling wasn't up to par, and, you know, lost our poise.”



Calgary controlled parts of the opening half despite struggling to consistently sustain drives.



René Paredes kicked an early field goal after Mark Vassett’s 72-yard punt produced a single to open the scoring. The Stampeders then capitalized on a Clarence Hicks strip-sack of Cody Fajardo, with Adams finding Jalen Philpot wide open in the end zone to extend the lead to 11-0.



After Edmonton responded with Fajardo’s touchdown pass to Kaion Julien-Grant, Calgary struck again just before halftime. An interception gave the Stampeders possession in Edmonton territory, and short-yardage quarterback Quincy Vaughn punched it in from the 1-yard line with five seconds remaining to send Calgary into the break ahead 18-7.



The advantage grew to 25-7 on Calgary’s opening possession of the second half when Adams went deep to Barnes for the 41-yard score.



Edmonton cut the deficit to 25-14 on Fajardo’s touchdown pass to Austin Mack with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter. Paredes restored a two-touchdown Calgary advantage with a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth.



ShunDerrick Powell’s 3-yard touchdown run made it 28-21 before the Elks recovered a Barnes fumble near midfield. Edmonton added a 52-yard field goal to pull within four with 6:14 remaining.



Calgary went two-and-out on its next possession, giving Edmonton another opportunity.



Rankin took advantage.



The Elks running back broke through the Calgary defence and spun away from would-be tacklers on a 50-yard touchdown run that gave Edmonton its first lead of the afternoon at 31-28.



The Stampeders went two-and-out again before getting one final opportunity with 1:32 remaining. Adams was sacked deep in Calgary territory and the Stamps eventually turned the ball over on downs at their own 3-yard line. Edmonton added a final touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.



“It sucks, because we understand where we are,” Adams said. “That would have been huge for us and for the organization.”



Adams finished 15-of-29 for 214 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Philpot had six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Barnes finished with three receptions for 75 yards and a score.



Dedrick Mills rushed 11 times for 49 yards.



Fajardo completed 17 of 31 passes for 181 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also caused problems on the ground, rushing seven times for a game-high 76 yards.



Dickenson pointed to Calgary’s deteriorating fundamentals as Edmonton mounted its comeback.



“Sometimes effort and trying isn't necessarily good football,” Dickenson said. “You got to still play all 12. You get gap sound, leverage partner, wrapping up.”



Defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade refused to use the rainy conditions as an excuse for Calgary’s fourth-quarter struggles.



“They had the same conditions,” Orimolade said. “They played really well in the fourth quarter, and we didn't, so we can't really blame conditions.”



The Stampeders entered Monday having won 11 of their previous 13 Labour Day games against Edmonton.



Calgary gets another chance against the Elks on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, with only a five-day turnaround between the two meetings.



“Words are words,” Dickenson said. “It’s got to be about action.”



“We’re a good team too,” Adams said. “We just have to finish.”