Stamps expect a battle in short-week Argos rematch

TORONTO — The Calgary Stampeders scored 58 points the last time they faced the Toronto Argonauts. They are not expecting Thursday’s rematch to follow the same script.



Calgary enters Week 10 at 4-4 after defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 44-20 on Saturday. The Stampeders will now complete their two-game Southern Ontario trip against a 3-4 Toronto team coming off a bye and preparing for its first home game of the season.



“Certainly a different type of deal on five days’ rest, them off a bye,” Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson said. “But our guys are excited to play.”



The Stampeders defeated Toronto 58-36 in the Stampede Bowl in Week 5. Vernon Adams Jr. tied a franchise record with six touchdown passes and added a seventh score on the ground.



Dickenson said the first meeting was more competitive than the final score indicated.



“It was a pretty close game,” Dickenson said. “Offensively, it was our best game of the year and we were able to pull away. They’ve got a good team.”



Toronto responded to Calgary throughout the first meeting before the Stampeders eventually created separation. Chad Kelly threw three touchdown passes, but two interceptions by Zy Alexander helped Calgary take control.



Alexander now leads the CFL with four interceptions and is listed behind starting boundary halfback Godfrey Onyeka on Calgary’s latest depth chart.



Adams expects a tougher challenge in the rematch.



“I expect it to be a battle,” Adams said. “They’re going to bring their best game coming off the bye week. I know they’re not happy with how they played, so we have to be on our best football as well.”



Adams has maintained the form he showed against Toronto. He leads the CFL with 21 touchdown passes and has not thrown an interception this season. Dating back to last year, Adams has attempted 295 consecutive passes without a pick—the third-longest streak in league history.



His six touchdown passes in the first meeting were distributed among four receivers. Jalen Philpot and Dejon Brissett caught two each, while Tevin Jones and Clark Barnes also found the end zone.



That balance has continued to define Calgary’s offence.



“None of these guys are selfish,” Adams said. “They come to work every single day, and I appreciate them more than anything. It’s one football, and I’m just trying to do my best to spread that ball around.”



Philpot leads Calgary with 542 receiving yards. Brissett, who scored twice against Toronto, enters the rematch after recording his first 100-yard game as a Stamp last week in Hamilton.



Calgary’s defence is also coming off its best performance of the season. Kyle Wilson returned a fumble for a touchdown, Derrick Moncrief added a pick-six and the Stampeders allowed a season-low 20 points against the Tiger-Cats.



Toronto’s most recent game was a 26-12 victory over the BC Lions. Makai Polk led the Argonauts with 91 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Shawn Lemon recorded two sacks.



The Stampeders have made no changes to the depth chart that defeated Hamilton. Dickenson credited the team’s training and strength staff, along with the players’ preparation, for keeping the lineup intact through the short turnaround.



“We want to improve on our penalties,” Dickenson said. “We want to make sure that we do the right thing when it matters—and then, to me, just win that next play.”



A victory would move Calgary above .500 for the first time this season and give Dickenson his 100th career win as a CFL head coach. Adams is also 236 passing yards away from passing his head coach for 28th on the league’s all-time list.



For Adams, the focus remains on finishing the trip with another victory.



“It’s a business trip,” Adams said. “We’re trying to get out of here 1-0 this week, and that’s the goal.”



Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. MT at BMO Field.