Stamps looking to make it two straight wins when they travel to Toronto

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Act 1 is in the books for the Calgary Stampeders.

And it was more than enough of a debut for the transitioning team to raise a few eyebrows — in a positive way.

A 38–26 home-field victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was the right first step forward for the Stampeders, especially since they controlled — for the most part — their Canadian Football League season opener.

“We’ve been talking about a good feel in this locker room, about guys feeling like the team is taking steps forward,” said Stampeders GM and head coach Dave Dickenson. “But you really get validation when you do it in a game. And we’ve got a long way to go.

“I mean, there are a lot of people who weren’t too sure what the Calgary Stampeders are all about.

“For Week 1, we showed that we’re a physical team, an aggressive team, a team that has playmakers and goes after the ball,” continued Dickenson. “So those are all good things for us. I’ve been preaching, ‘Hey, everything we get will be earned,’ and I thought we earned it.

“I thought we earned that win.”

So what’s in store for Act 2 against the defending CFL champions, when the Stampeders (1–0) visit the Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts (0–1) on Saturday at BMO Field (2 p.m. MT, TSN)?

Stay tuned come game time — the team’s first road game of the 2025 CFL campaign.

STACKING THE WINS

Sure, it’s just one win in the standings.

But it’s a capital “W” for a franchise that’s failed to post many — just 11 — in the past two seasons.

And when it comes on the heels of a couple of feel-good pre-season triumphs, the Stamps have suddenly found their confidence, taking the field with heads held high.

“It’s major,” said linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. of last Saturday’s decision at McMahon Stadium. “We needed this win. We were hungry for it. We got two dubs in the pre-season, and we’re just stacking them right now.”

Stacking another Saturday would certainly make an impact.

Against the reigning champs, that may seem a challenge. But the Argonauts aren’t exactly a powerhouse, and they’re depleted by injuries. Plus, they don’t have the same confidence the Stamps are sporting after Week 1, having lost 28–10 on the road to the Montréal Alouettes.

PUTTING UP POINTS

Those 10 points posted by the so-called mighty Argos stand out, don’t they?

Especially when compared to the sparkling 38 — all on offence — put up by the Stampeders.

“The energy we’ve got going on in this locker room — period — is unbelievable,” said Game 1 standout Dedrick Mills, the Stamps’ lead running back. “So we carry it all from the locker room to the field, and we all play together as a team. It’s working out wonderful for us.

“I mean, we put 38 points up on the board, and one of our goals is to put 30-plus on the board every game.”

It’s a total not often reached anymore in the CFL. This isn’t the ’90s, when teams regularly needed 40 to win.

But the 428 yards of offence the Stamps rolled up last Saturday had a bit of a throwback feel.

“We did enough,” added Dickenson, cautiously optimistic. “I mean, we scored 38 points. We kind of set 30 as the bar.

“If we get 30-plus, we think we win a lot of games. That’s a high bar — nobody did it last year — so the offence still did a good job.”

MILLS MAKES HIS MARK

The running game did its part to keep a balanced attack going for the Red and White.

In particular, Mills took advantage of holes opened by an offensive line that’s looking sharp early in the season.

The fourth-year back has already surpassed his touchdown total — one — from 2024 with three majors against the Tiger-Cats. He added 94 rushing yards in the effort.

“So, yeah, I feel good, man, starting the season,” Mills said. “I wanted 100 yards (last Saturday), but we didn’t get that number. Every game, I’m aiming for 100-plus, you know — so let’s get it.”

Mills did, however, get a game ball — and passed it off to the offensive line for their yeoman’s work.

“They did a thing,” said Mills of the o-linemen. “They got me to the end zone three times. So, of course, man, I had to give it to them. They deserve it.”

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. scrambled for 33 yards on three carries, and Canadian back Jeshrun Antwi added 30 yards on nine carries, giving the Stamps 158 rushing yards in the win.

That pairs nicely with the 284 passing yards posted by Adams & Co.

“We’ve got a good running back room,” added Dickenson. “I think Dedrick and even the guys behind him know that.

“So keep grinding. Don’t be happy. Keep grinding. Keep putting your mark on this league and being who you are.”

ADAMS AIRS IT OUT

Adams was solid in his first regular-season start for the Stampeders — even if he’s not fully comfortable yet.

“It wasn’t pretty, but — hey — we’re going to watch this film,” Adams said. “I’m going to watch it and get the corrections going. And yeah, we’ll be better (in Toronto).”

Pretty was seeing Canadian receiver Clark Barnes rack up more than 100 yards. His 112 on just four catches — helped by plenty of YAC — led all receivers and set a new career best.

Adams also connected with CFL all-star Reggie Begelton for 58 yards on five throws and with Tevin Jones for 48 on four.

“So I think he feels comfortable with our weapons,” said Dickenson. “We definitely had our share of busts and mistakes. But if you can win and fix those, it’s always easier.

“Honestly — not great,” added the head coach. “But Hamilton also did a lot of different stuff. They were bringing six, seven guys a lot of the time, dropping people out. So it wasn’t easy.”

But savvy, mobile Adams made it work — and led the Stamps to victory.

TEAM STEPPING UP

On the other side of the ball, the Red and White defence showed up strong — allowing just two touchdowns in a solid debut from a nearly all-new unit.

“We’ve got great synergy,” said strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief. “We’ve got great chemistry, too, already.

“We’ve just gotta continue to build on the new defensive system. So we’re just trying to stack the days and prepare the best way we can.”

Are they prepared to go on the road and face the Grey Cup champs?

Stay tuned.

“It’s amazing, man,” added Mills. “It’s amazing seeing different guys — guys we’ve never seen here before — come into this locker room and step up, be leaders, and show everyone the right way to be a CFL pro.”

SHORT YARDAGE

Offensive lineman Bryce Bell is a game-time decision to step in at centre for the Stampeders. Rookie OL Chris Fortin backs up the veteran snapper.

The only certain changes among the starters are DB Adrian Greene in at cornerback (with DB Ben Labrosse stepping back) and DL Josiah Coatney returning from the injury list to start where Miles Brown lined up last week. Brown is now on the IL.

Also dressing for Week 2 are WR Damian Alford, OL Tomas Jack-Kurdyla, DL Kelechi Anyalebechi and DL Shaun Peterson Jr.

Out after suiting up last week are LB Gary Johnson Jr., FB William Langlais, RB Ludovick Choquette and DL Cedric Wilcots II.