Stampeders seek faster start, turnover spark in rematch with Alouettes

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders return home Saturday looking to avenge last week’s 37-30 loss when they face the Montreal Alouettes for the second time in seven days.



Calgary enters the Week 7 rematch at 2-3 despite leading the CFL with 38.8 points per game. The Stampeders have scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games and no fewer than 28 in any contest this season, but each of their three losses has remained within reach late.



Head coach Dave Dickenson sees a team competing hard, but he isn’t looking beyond what the standings show.



“The record’s the record,” Dickenson said. “But I do feel like our guys give a lot of effort, play extremely hard. I like what our team’s built on. Our goal is just to play better, improve each and every week.”



Calgary scored three second-half touchdowns last week but could not overcome its slow start. Vernon Adams Jr. finished with three touchdown passes, including two to Dejon Brissett for the second consecutive game.



For Adams, the most important adjustment is getting the offence moving earlier.



“Starting fast,” Adams said. “We put up 30 points, but you’re putting your defence in a bind by punting a lot early in the first half. The games that we did win, I felt like we started a lot faster.



“If we can do that, help our defence out, give them a rest, convert on second downs and flip the field, I think that will help us out.”



Dickenson said familiarity with Montreal’s personnel and schemes should allow Calgary to play faster, even with both teams expected to introduce new wrinkles.



“We sometimes take a little bit,” Dickenson said. “Some of the games we’ve struggled with the looks and maybe we weren’t in the right communication or line calls to handle them, which then makes us start a little slower.



“It’s the same opponent. They’ll have different stuff, there’s no doubt about it, but hopefully the familiarity lets us play fast and make plays.”



Turnovers could tilt the rematch



Saturday’s game features the CFL’s only two starting quarterbacks who have yet to throw an interception this season.



Adams has thrown 11 touchdowns across 145 pass attempts, while Montreal’s Davis Alexander has eight touchdowns through 184 attempts. Alexander has also passed for at least 300 yards in each of his five starts.



Adams credited his receivers for helping keep his interception total at zero.



“There have been games where I had turnover-worthy plays,” Adams said. “I think I am doing a better job not throwing it into too many people. We call it a team meeting back there, one versus two or three guys. But my receivers are helping me out as well.”



Calgary is looking to end Alexander’s streak while creating the short fields and momentum it lacked during the first meeting.



“If we can get some short fields, get some momentum, turnovers create confidence,” Dickenson said. “The flip side of that as an offence is we have to make sure we have good ball security and make good decisions.”



The Stampeders also want to keep Alexander closer to the pocket after he extended plays with his mobility last week. Dickenson said Calgary tackled better but needs to challenge Montreal’s receivers more consistently and remain connected when Alexander scrambles.



“Our goal is to create indecision for the quarterback, make him hold the ball, and then rally and see what we can do on the back end,” Dickenson said.



Philpot brothers renew their rivalry



The rematch gives Calgary receiver Jalen Philpot another opportunity to face his twin brother, Montreal standout Tyson Philpot.



Tyson leads the Alouettes with 719 receiving yards, while Jalen’s 311 yards are the most among Stampeders receivers. The brothers remain in contact away from the field, but any cooperation ends when their teams meet.



“We’re definitely not giving away any secrets,” Jalen said. “We’re our biggest competitors. He’s an Alouette, I’m a Stampeder. I want to win, he wants to win.”



Jalen said he supports his brother against every other opponent. Against Calgary, the relationship temporarily changes.



“He can go crazy against everybody but us,” Jalen said. “When he’s playing us, I hope he drops everything. I hope he doesn’t score.”



The brothers also monitor each other’s production and carry that competition into every week.



“We look at each other’s stats every week,” Jalen said. “We want to one-up each other. But at the end of the day, I’ve just got to do what I can do to help my team win.”



Calgary’s offence believes more production was available in last week’s loss. Jalen pointed to missed chances to extend drives and finish possessions with touchdowns.



“It’s promising when you can look at the film and know that the plays are there to make,” he said. “We’ve just got to make a couple extra plays more than they do.”



Lee a game-time decision



Linebacker Marquel Lee is a game-time decision after missing Thursday’s practice because of illness. Lee made a game-high eight defensive tackles last week and leads Calgary with 34 this season.



Dickenson said Calgary will assess Lee’s energy level before determining whether he can play. Kelechi Anyalebechi is available on the reserve roster if the Stampeders need another option at linebacker.



Defensive lineman Elijah Hills and offensive lineman Tomas Jack-Kurdyla are listed in the lineup, replacing Tristan Marois and Shaun Peterson.



Linebacker Micah Teitz is expected to appear in the 100th regular-season game of his CFL career.



Calgary is 35-19 in the second game of back-to-back meetings over the past 25 seasons. A victory would bring the Stampeders back to .500 and even their all-time record against Montreal at 44-44-2.



Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT Saturday at McMahon Stadium. The game will air on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States and QR Calgary 770 on radio.