Blue Bombers look for payback in rematch with Stampeders, this time in Winnipeg
Two weeks ago, Calgary handed Winnipeg its first loss of the season, 37-16 in the inaugural Stampede Bowl. On Friday night, the Stampeders (4-1) face the Blue Bombers (3-1) at Princess Auto Stadium.
Calgary is coming off consecutive weeks of handing division rivals their first losses. Last week, the Stampeders defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-10 in a game that was pushed back a day due to bad air quality in Regina.
It's been quite a start for Calgary, which posted a 5-12-1 record in 2024 to finish fifth in the West Division.
This season, the Stampeders have allowed just five touchdowns in 68 drives (7.4 per cent) and only four touchdowns in the opposition's 11 trips into the red zone.
Calgary is also tied for the league lead in takeaways (13) and 30-plus yard completions (11). The Stampeders are second only to B.C. (410) in net offence (409.6 yards per game) but boast the CFL's top-ranked ground game (130.6 yards).
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is second overall in passing (1,453 yards). He's tied with Toronto's Nick Arbuckle for most 30-plus yard completions (11) but is tops with a 10.5-yard average per pass attempt.
Adams has also rushed for 132 yards on 16 carries (8.3-yard average) and a touchdown. A win Friday night would give Calgary the season series versus Winnipeg.
The Bombers are especially tough at Princess Auto Stadium. Not only are they the league's lone unbeaten team at home (2-0), but they've won eight of their last nine overall there.
Calgary has also lost eight straight in Winnipeg, its last win there coming in 2017, although Adams Jr. is 5-3 over his career versus the Bombers and threw for 428 yards and three TDs in last week's win over Saskatchewan.
Rookie Damien Alford, who Calgary took first overall in the 2025 CFL draft, had six catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start.
What's more, Winnipeg is 12-0 coming off a bye week since 2021, and Collaros sports a 10-7 record versus Calgary.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
35 minutes ago
- National Post
Canada will bring back Jon Cooper's entire staff from 4 Nations for Olympics
CALGARY — After leading Canada to victory at this year's 4 Nations Face-Off, head coach Jon Cooper is getting his same support staff for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Article content Hockey Canada announced Monday that Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights, Rick Tocchet of the Philadelphia Flyers and former Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer will once again serve as assistants on Cooper's staff for the 2026 Winter Games. Article content Article content Article content Former Stars assistant and Hockey Canada vice-president of hockey operations Misha Donskov returns as an assistant coach, while goaltending consultant David Alexander, director of performance analysis James Emery and video co-ordinator Elliott Mondou round out the staff. Article content The group led Canada to victory at the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off, the first international tournament to have league participation since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Article content Connor McDavid scored in overtime as Canada beat the United States 3-2 in Boston to win the tournament, which replaced this season's NHL all-star weekend. Article content The men's Olympic hockey tournament runs Feb. 11-22 in Milan, Italy. Canada won its third gold medal in four Games the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics in 2014. Article content 'After a successful 4 Nations Face-Off, I am excited to welcome Bruce, Peter, Rick, Misha, David, James and Elliott back to Canada's coaching staff for 2026 Olympic Winter Games, as this is a highly skilled group of coaches that bring impressive resumes to our staff,' Cooper said in a release. Article content
CTV News
35 minutes ago
- CTV News
Hamilton celebrating hometown hero Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with rally and key to the city
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is being honoured by Hamilton, his home town with a the key to the city and a rally in his name. Hamilton is celebrating NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on August 7 with what its calling 'Shai Rally Day.' The Hamilton native and Oklahoma City Thunder star won an NBA championship in June on the heels of a season that also earned him a scoring title and an MVP award. As a recognition of his accomplishments, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath will be the awarding Gilgeous-Alexander the key to the City of Hamilton. In a press release she said the honour was to show 'how proud we are of his incredible accomplishments, and the way he continues to carry Hamilton with him on the global stage.' The ceremony and rally will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton Stadium. City Manager Marnie Cluckie said in a statement that 'Shai shows us what's possible when you follow your passion and work tirelessly for your dreams.' The only time a Hamilton mayor has awarded the key to the city was in 1998. That key was to WWE wrestler Steve Austin. 'Hamilton is the city where I grew up, and it shaped the most pivotal years of my life. It laid the foundation not only for who I am as a basketball player, but for the man I've become.' Gilgeous-Alexander said in the release, Following the rally there will be a Hamilton Tiger-Cats game against the BC Lions where Gilgeous-Alexander will 'be honoured in a special tribute during the game', according to the city. Shai Rally Day will be a free event but the city does require that attendees get pre-registration tickets. Those tickets are now available.
CBC
36 minutes ago
- CBC
Assistant coaches Cassidy, DeBoer, Tocchet round out Canada's Olympic men's hockey staff
After leading Canada to victory at this year's 4 Nations Face-Off, head coach Jon Cooper is getting his same support staff for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Hockey Canada announced Monday that Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights, Rick Tocchet of the Philadelphia Flyers and former Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer will once again serve as assistants on Cooper's staff for the 2026 Winter Games. Former Stars assistant and Hockey Canada vice-president of hockey operations Misha Donskov returns as an assistant coach, while goaltending consultant David Alexander, director of performance analysis James Emery and video co-ordinator Elliott Mondou round out the staff. The group led Canada to victory at the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off, the first international tournament to have league participation since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Connor McDavid scored in overtime as Canada beat the United States 3-2 in Boston to win the tournament, which replaced this season's NHL all-star weekend. The men's Olympic hockey tournament runs Feb. 11-22 in Milan, Italy. Canada won its third gold medal in four Games the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics in 2014. "After a successful 4 Nations Face-Off, I am excited to welcome Bruce, Peter, Rick, Misha, David, James and Elliott back to Canada's coaching staff for 2026 Olympic Winter Games, as this is a highly skilled group of coaches that bring impressive resumes to our staff," Cooper said in a news release. "This group of coaches will provide consistency and a winning pedigree to our team, and I know our players will greatly benefit from this world-class coaching staff."
