Stampeders make history in 52-30 win over Blue Bombers

WINNIPEG — Tyreik McAllister scored three different ways, Ben Labrosse intercepted Dru Brown three times and the Calgary Stampeders delivered the complete performance they had been chasing.



McAllister became the first player in CFL history to score rushing, receiving and return touchdowns in the same game as Calgary defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 52-30 Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium.



The Stampeders improved to 3-4, moved within one game of the third-place Bombers and snapped Winnipeg’s three-game winning streak. The Blue Bombers fell to 4-3.



Calgary never trailed.



“We really needed this,” McAllister said. “We came off a two-game losing streak, and we were right there in those games.”



McAllister opened the scoring on Calgary’s first possession, taking a handoff 17 yards for a touchdown. Jude McAtamney added the convert before Mark Vassett’s 55-yard punt single gave the Stampeders an 8-0 lead.



Winnipeg answered early in the second quarter when Brown found Nic Demski for a 37-yard touchdown, cutting Calgary’s lead to 8-7.



McAllister responded with the first of two explosive plays that would define the night.



Vernon Adams Jr. found him uncovered through the middle for a 56-yard touchdown with 10:39 remaining in the half. Head coach Dave Dickenson later described the play as a busted Winnipeg coverage.



Just over two minutes later, Sergio Castillo missed a 58-yard field goal and McAllister returned it 118 yards for another touchdown. The score completed his historic three-touchdown performance and extended Calgary’s advantage to 22-7.



“Once I got through that first wave, I saw nothing but green grass,” McAllister said.



McAllister credited those around him for putting the record within reach.



“I thank God, thank my coaches and thank my teammates who put me in a position to do what I do,” he said.



Brady Oliveira’s 13-yard touchdown run pulled Winnipeg within eight before McAtamney connected from 51 yards. Castillo answered with a 50-yard field goal nine seconds before halftime, sending Calgary into the break ahead 25-17.



The Stampeders struck immediately to begin the second half.



On Calgary’s first offensive play of the third quarter, Adams connected with Jalen Philpot for a 69-yard touchdown. The quick strike restored a 15-point lead and delivered the fast second-half start Calgary had emphasized throughout the week.



Castillo made a 36-yard field goal before Adams threw his third touchdown pass, finding Tevin Jones from seven yards to put Calgary ahead 39-20.



Oliveira kept Winnipeg within reach with a 45-yard touchdown run late in the quarter. Castillo’s convert made it 39-27 entering the fourth, and his 34-yard field goal early in the final period cut Calgary’s lead to nine.



That was as close as Winnipeg would get.



Labrosse intercepted Brown for the third time and returned the ball 65 yards to Winnipeg’s 16-yard line. McAtamney converted the takeaway into a 24-yard field goal, pushing Calgary’s lead to 42-30.



The three interceptions tied the Stampeders’ single-game record and came in Labrosse’s first start in Calgary’s defence.



“I feel like I should’ve got four, but it’s okay,” Labrosse said. “I’ll take the tie. Maybe another game.”



His performance also completed a direct transition from preparation to production. Labrosse said before the game that communication had been Calgary’s defensive focus.



Afterward, he credited that communication for the secondary’s best performance of the season.



“The whole defence was on the same page,” Labrosse said. “I think their offence felt that.”



One of Labrosse’s earlier interceptions was followed by a fumble that Winnipeg recovered, but the defensive back continued attacking the football. Dickenson praised him for responding instead of allowing the mistake to change his approach.



“Our back end rose to the challenge after really getting beat up in the media and also just the start of the season,” Dickenson said. “I’m proud of those guys for continuing to battle and get better.”



Zy Alexander added Calgary’s fourth interception and returned it 24 yards to Winnipeg’s 36. McAtamney followed with a 23-yard field goal before Dedrick Mills closed the scoring on a 36-yard touchdown run with 1:03 remaining.



Brown finished 24-of-40 for 249 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Oliveira provided Winnipeg’s most consistent offence with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.



Adams completed 18 of 27 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He extended his season-opening run to 20 touchdown passes without a pick, establishing a new CFL benchmark.



Philpot caught four passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. McAllister added two receptions for 62 yards to his rushing and return scores, while Jones caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.



Calgary gained 387 net yards despite running only 46 offensive plays. Winnipeg produced 362 yards on 61 plays, leaving the Stampeders with an 8.4-to-5.9 advantage in yards per play.



“We played three-phase football tonight,” Adams said. “It just felt good to play a complete game like that.”



The victory evened the season series at one game apiece after Winnipeg’s last-play win in Calgary in Week 1. The teams will meet once more Oct. 10 at Princess Auto Stadium.



Up next, Calgary continues its three-game road stretch against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, while Winnipeg hosts the BC Lions.



Before Friday’s game, Dickenson said the Stampeders needed to regain the confidence that they could protect a lead and finish a close game.



“When you get leads and you’ve got a chance to finish it, you need to do it or else you lose your confidence,” Dickenson said afterward.



On Friday night, Calgary finished.