Stampeders prepare for Week 5 test against Argonauts

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders returned to the practice field Tuesday as preparations continued for Thursday's Stampede Bowl against the Toronto Argonauts at McMahon Stadium.



Calgary (1-2) is coming off its first win of the season, a 41-33 victory over the BC Lions in Kelowna. The Argonauts (2-1), meanwhile, will look for their third straight win after victories over the Ottawa Redblacks and the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders, including last week's road win in Regina.



The challenge is significant.



Toronto has averaged more than 38 points per game through its first three contests behind quarterback Chad Kelly, who enters Week 5 second in the CFL with 1,190 passing yards and first with nine touchdown passes. Running back Sam Hicks has added 209 rushing yards, while Kevin Mital and Tyler Kahmann have emerged as Kelly's top targets.



Head coach Dave Dickenson said Calgary's focus begins with disrupting that offensive rhythm.



"We need to make him uncomfortable," Dickenson said. "Try to stop the run and get him into second and long. It's easier said than done."



Dickenson believes the Stampeders also have areas to clean up after last week's victory.



"The main thing we didn't do well last week was tackle," he said. "We need better angles, we need to wrap up, and hopefully improve on that."



Receiver Jalen Philpot said Calgary's attention remains on its own execution rather than the opponent.



"The big mindset going into last week was just worry about us," Philpot said. "We felt like we played an overall decent game, but we know there's some areas to improve on. It's just come out, play a full 60 minutes and try and go 1-0 again this week."



Philpot, who caught his first touchdown of the season against BC, also credited coaching for helping him draw the first-quarter pass interference penalty that set up Calgary's opening touchdown.



"I definitely had him beat," Philpot said. "Once I noticed the ball was super short, they teach us here to play through the defender. It's just great coaching here and being able to set our team up in a good position to score."



Dickenson also singled out receiver Tevin Jones after Saturday's win, naming the veteran his player of the game for his contributions on offence and special teams.



"I gave him player of the game because I thought he was doing a lot," Dickenson said. "He was giving us good coverage on that, and then he has really stepped up for us in three straight games, especially in the second half."



Jones enters Thursday with a team-leading two touchdown receptions.



Calgary's offence has taken care of the football through three games. Vernon Adams Jr. has thrown for 722 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, while Dedrick Mills ranks among the CFL's leading rushers with 273 yards. Erik Brooks leads the Stampeders with 176 receiving yards, and linebacker Marquel Lee tops the club with 21 tackles heading into Thursday's matchup.