Dedrick Mills, Vernon Adams Jr. power Stampeders to season-opening win over Tiger-Cats
Article content
The Stampeders downed the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-26 in the season-opener for both clubs Saturday.
Article content
Article content
Mills rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries, while quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 19-of-28 pass attempts for 284 yards, and rushed for 33 yards on three carries, in his highly anticipated Stampeder debut.
Article content
Mills handed off the white cowboy hat as his team's offensive player of the game to his offensive linemen.
Article content
'They did their thing and they got me in the end zone three times, so of course, man, I had to give it to them,' Mills said. 'They deserved it.'
Article content
Adams' backup P.J. Walker contributed a short-yardage touchdown and Rene Paredes kicked field goals from 42, 29 and 38 yards in front of an announced 18,682 on a breezy, hazy evening at McMahon Stadium.
Article content
Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Kenny Lawler scored his first touchdown as a Tiger-Cat. Isiah Wooden returned a kickoff to score, while Marc Liegghio booted field goals from 47, 37 and 25 yards.
Article content
Article content
The Stampeders acquired Adams in a trade with the BC Lions a month after their 5-12-1 season ended in 2024.
Article content
He was intercepted twice in Saturday's second quarter, but distributed the ball efficiently for 428 yards of net offence.
Article content
Adams scrambled out of the pocket to connect with Clark Barnes on a 65-yard passing play that Mills finished for a 34-11 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Article content
Article content
The Stampeders scored on their first drive of the game when Adams marched the offence 85 yards on nine plays.
Article content
'It's always important to get some points on the first drive if you can,' Adams said. 'I like receiving the ball because if we can go down and do that, that puts pressure on their offence to do it.
Article content
'Defence did a good job. Rene was Rene. And that was awesome operation on the special teams.
Article content
'It wasn't pretty by any means, but it's a win and it's so hard to get wins in this league. We have a really good team and once we get it together, get it clicking, I think we're going to be special.'
Article content
Article content
It was too little, too late when Ticats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell found rhythm in his offence as the Stampeders had built a 15-point lead by the first play of the second half.
Article content
Mitchell completed 31-of-50 pass attempts for 304 yards and a touchdown throw in an interception-free start, but Hamilton also turned the ball over on downs three times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Edmonton Oilers release fall game schedule
The Edmonton Oilers' schedule for next season is out. For the first time since 2017, the team will begin the season with a 'Battle of Alberta' game against the Calgary Flames.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Executive Committee backs plan to install priority transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets south of Bloor
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's Executive Committee has approved a scaled-down plan to install priority transit lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin streets. The plan, which is part of the city's RapidTO network, would see transit lanes installed south of Bloor Street West on Bathurst and Dufferin Streets ahead of the FIFA World Cup next year. In the initial plan, priority lanes for buses or streetcars were also proposed north of Bloor to Eglinton Avenue West on Bathurst Street and to Wilson Avenue on Dufferin Street. But staff has said 'further consideration' of that section 'is proposed to be undertaken at a future time.' The changes came amid pushback from retailers along a stretch of Bathurst Street in The Annex, who said they would be negatively affected by the bus lanes, which may result in some businesses closing. Transit advocates, meanwhile, expressed disappointment over the watered-down plan, especially since staff did not indicate a specific timeline for when transit lanes north of Bloor on those two major roads would be implemented. As a result, during Wednesday's Executive Committee meeting, Mayor Olivia Chow introduced a motion asking city staff to work with her, local councillors, residents, businesses, and transit riders to develop implementation plans for bus lanes on Bathurst Street from Bloor to Eglinton Avenue and on Dufferin Street from Bloor to Wilson Avenue. Her motion also directs staff to report back on interim priority measures that can be implemented for the World Cup, including rush hour prohibitions, time-of-day use, loading zones, and HOV lanes. Ahead of the meeting, Mayor Chow said the RapidTO plans have been around since 2019 and 'it's time to take action,' voicing her support for the plan south of Bloor. 'Nothing has as large an impact as better public transit. The better way to tackle congestion is making sure there's a reliable and faster TTC service, so people take more transit than driving,' the mayor said. Chow added that the city could do better; thus, she wants staff to explore options for improving services north of Bloor ahead of the World Cup, while plans for priority transit lanes along that stretch are stalled. 'I want options,' the mayor said. 'A proper implementation of RapidTO means thousands of new riders on TTC. Less frustration.' Transit advocacy group TTCRiders celebrated the Executive Committee's approval of the transit lanes, saying, 'This is a win for transit riders.' The group also welcomed Chow's motion. 'We're pleased that Mayor Chow's amendment (commits) to clear timelines extending these lanes further north, fulfilling commitments made by her and other members of the Executive,' TTCRiders Executive Director Andrew Pulsifer said in a news release. Last year, council directed staff to accelerate RapidTO projects on Dufferin and Bathurst streets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The city said construction for the transit lanes would begin in the fall and is expected to be finished before the start of the World Cup. According to the report, the implementation of the transit priority lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst is expected to cost $8 million. The plan now goes before city council for final approval.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Burger Wars: The Food Truck's Oklahoma Smash Burger
Burger Wars continues in support of L'arche Sudbury with Rick Wyman heading down Lasalle Boulevard to The Food Truck and joining owner and defending Burger Wars champ Mark Broadfoot to try their Oklahoma Smash Burger.
