Stampeders face pivotal rematch with surging Blue Bombers

CALGARY — By the time Friday night ends in Winnipeg, the Calgary Stampeders will either be back within striking distance in the West Division or staring at a three-game climb.



Calgary enters its Week 8 matchup against the Blue Bombers at 2-4 after consecutive losses. Winnipeg is third in the West at 4-2 and has won three straight.



A Stampeders victory would cut the difference to one game and even the season series. A loss would extend Winnipeg’s advantage and give the Blue Bombers the head-to-head tiebreaker with one meeting remaining.



The teams opened the season at McMahon Stadium, where Winnipeg kicked a 38-yard field goal on the final play to escape with a 30-28 victory. Their final regular-season meeting is scheduled for Oct. 10 in Winnipeg.



Both teams enter Friday following games decided in the final moments.



Calgary erased a 22-point deficit and pulled even with Montreal late in the fourth quarter last Saturday before the Alouettes escaped McMahon Stadium with a 38-32 win.



Winnipeg scored 17 fourth-quarter points to force overtime against Ottawa on Sunday before Gavin Cobb delivered the winning two-point conversion in a 36-34 victory.



The Blue Bombers are expected to start Dru Brown for the second consecutive week in place of the injured Zach Collaros. Brown, who returned to Winnipeg after two seasons as Ottawa’s starter, has defeated every CFL team except Calgary during his 29 career starts.



The Stampeders will counter with Vernon Adams Jr., who arrives in Winnipeg on the verge of league history.



Adams has opened the season with 17 touchdown passes and no interceptions, matching the season-opening marks established by Ricky Ray and Darian Durant in 2013. Another touchdown pass before his first interception would make Adams the first quarterback in CFL history to begin a season with an 18-to-0 ratio.



He has thrown 15 touchdowns over his past four games.



Adams will also have another target available after Calgary brought receiver Damien Alford back following his opportunity with the New Orleans Saints.



Alford said he decided he had waited long enough for another opportunity south of the border.



“I told them, ‘Listen, I’m tired of waiting. I want to come back to Calgary. I want to come play football,’” Alford said Wednesday. “That’s exactly what I did.”



The former first-overall CFL draft pick returned to a familiar offence and said he could play immediately if called upon Friday.



“The playbook stayed anchored in my head the whole time,” Alford said. “I wasn’t confused. I knew where to line up. I knew what to do on my plays.”



More important to Alford was how Calgary’s players received him when he returned.



“The guys embraced me well,” he said. “Being back, it feels good. It feels like I’m back home.”



Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said the team remained in contact with Alford while giving him time to pursue another NFL opportunity.



“We’re excited to have him back,” Dickenson said. “Obviously, a top pick for us, a guy that we know can make plays.”



Alford is active on Calgary’s position chart and could make his return Friday.



“I haven’t ruled him out for sure this week,” Dickenson said. “Brissett has a little tweak, so it might be a great opportunity for him to get out there.”



Brissett remains a game-time decision, while Reggie Begelton remains on the six-game injured list.



Alford joins a receiving group led by Jalen Philpot, who has a team-high 407 yards and established a new career best with his fourth touchdown of the season against Montreal. Tevin Jones and Erik Brooks are also expected to start.



“Play the best guys and try to keep rolling,” Dickenson said. “Keep being an explosive team that scores touchdowns.”



Calgary will also lean on Dedrick Mills after the running back produced a season-high 130 rushing yards against Montreal. Mills leads the Stampeders with 524 yards and has recorded at least one 100-yard game against every CFL opponent.



Dickenson challenged his team to sharpen its approach during the shortened week following Wednesday’s practice at Shouldice Athletic Park.



“We need to show up with the mindset that we’re going to get better,” Dickenson said. “I just felt like we weren’t quite as focused as we need to be.”



Calgary is 1-1 on the road and 1-2 against West Division opponents. Winnipeg is 1-2 at home and 1-1 within the division.



Friday also begins a stretch of three consecutive road games for the Stampeders, with visits to Hamilton and Toronto to follow



Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT at Princess Auto Stadium. The game will air on TSN and RDS2 in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States and CFL+ internationally. Radio coverage is available on QR Calgary and SiriusXM 167.