Stamps let chances slip away in 33-30 loss to Argos
TORONTO — The Calgary Stampeders had five takeaways, a defensive touchdown and the ball with a chance to win late.
They still left Toronto empty-handed.
Brady Lidster kicked the go-ahead field goal with 12 seconds remaining as the Argonauts defeated Calgary 33-30 Thursday at BMO Field.
The loss dropped the Stampeders to 4-5 and kept them from moving above .500 for the first time this season.
Calgary came away with four interceptions of Chad Kelly and another Toronto turnover, but failed to turn enough of those opportunities into points. The Argonauts still outgained the Stampeders 454-267 and held a 349-159 advantage through the air.
The biggest missed chance came late.
With the game tied 30-30 and less than 90 seconds remaining, Calgary went for it on third-and-one. Dedrick Mills took the handoff and was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
Toronto took over and moved into position for Lidster, who kicked the winner from 11 yards.
Dickenson said Calgary’s depleted defence was “hanging on by fumes” late in the game, which factored into his decision to go for it.
“I did think we should be able to get a yard,” Dickenson said. “We tried to go with our bell cow Mills, and safety, he filled the gap and made a great play on Mills.”
“When the call doesn’t work, you do look back and think I could have done something differently. But I did feel like the gas tank was super low at that point. We needed that play.”
Vernon Adams Jr. finished 12-of-24 for 159 yards with two interceptions. His interception-free streak ended at 299 attempts.
Adams appeared under pressure for much of the night, often forced to get the ball out quickly, look underneath or escape the pocket. Calgary was playing on five days’ rest, while Toronto entered the rematch coming off a bye.
The Stampeders still found a way to stay in the game.
Ben Labrosse intercepted Kelly twice and moved into the CFL lead with five picks this season. Anthony Johnson also recorded an interception, while Adrian Greene returned another 67 yards for a touchdown to put Calgary ahead 24-20 in the third quarter.
Kelly finished with 349 passing yards despite throwing four interceptions. Damonte Coxie had eight catches for 161 yards.
Calgary’s best offensive stretch came late in the first half.
Adams connected with Damien Alford, Clark Barnes and Jalen Philpot during a scoring drive, then ran six yards for a touchdown to give the Stampeders a 17-16 lead.
Lidster answered with a 52-yard field goal before halftime to put Toronto back in front 19-17.
At the break, Adams said Calgary’s offence needed to do more with the opportunities created by the defence.
“I’ve got to hold up my end of the bargain,” Adams told TSN. “Defense is playing amazing right now, getting turnovers and stuff. I got to help them out.”
Adams was even harder on himself after the game.
“Our defense had enough for us to win the game,” Adams said. “Put us in great field position too many times, getting stopped and field goals, not getting seven.”
“I feel like I wasn’t on my best game today, and I let my team down.”
The teams traded the lead again in the fourth quarter.
Samuel Hicks ran 40 yards untouched for a touchdown to put Toronto ahead 30-27. Jude McAtamney answered with a 46-yard field goal to tie it with 2:58 remaining.
Calgary’s defence then forced a two-and-out, giving the offence one more chance.
The Stampeders couldn’t gain the yard they needed.
Mills finished with 79 rushing yards on 14 carries. McAtamney went 3-for-3 on field goals.
Marquel Lee said the loss couldn’t be placed on one unit.
“Not one side of the ball is at fault, not one phase of it is at fault,” Lee said. “We all gave up some plays at some point in the game, so we got to shore that part of it up and be better next week.”
Calgary had enough chances to win.
They just couldn’t finish.