Stampeders look to rebound in Edmonton after Labour Day collapse

EDMONTON — Five days after blowing an 18-point lead in a 38-28 loss at McMahon Stadium, the Stampeders (5-7) visit the Elks (9-3) Saturday at 5 p.m. MT at Commonwealth Stadium.



Calgary led 25-7 before Edmonton rallied, exposing an issue both head coach Dave Dickenson and veteran receiver Reggie Begelton emphasized Friday: finishing.



“We lost a little bit of our poise in the fourth quarter,” Dickenson said. “We want to get back in that situation. We want to try to finish.”



The Stampeders will get some reinforcement with Begelton returning to the lineup after 15 months away from game action.



“I'm excited, I'm anxious,” Begelton said. “I get an opportunity to play. So I just have to go out there and treat it like I've been doing all my life.”



Begelton said Calgary can’t afford to get comfortable when it gets ahead.



“A 20-point lead feels easy until it's not,” he said. “You just got to learn how to finish, especially with a young team.”



Begelton starts at slotback, while BoPete Keyes enters the lineup at halfback as part of Calgary’s defensive changes.



There are also two milestones within reach. Rene Paredes is set to play his 250th career regular-season game, while Dedrick Mills needs 77 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season.



With six games remaining, Calgary’s task Saturday is straightforward: turn a strong start against Edmonton into a victory.