Latest news with #VernonAdamsJr
National Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Argonauts drop to 0-2 after 29-19 loss to Stampeders
Vernon Adams Jr. and Dedrick Mills scored fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the unbeaten Calgary Stampeders past the winless Toronto Argonauts 29-19 on a breezy Saturday afternoon. Article content Adams Jr.'s eight-yard scamper at 7:43 put Calgary ahead 26-11. It came after Lirim Hajrullahu's 47-yard field goal at 5:08 cut Toronto's deficit to 19-11. Article content Mills put Calgary ahead 19-8 with a one-yard scoring run at 1:19. Both Adams Jr. and Mills capped 70-yard scoring drives. Article content Toronto's Nick Arbuckle made it interesting with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie at 9:50. Then the '24 Grey Cup MVP ran in for the two-point convert to cut Calgary's lead to 26-19. Article content But Rene Paredes cemented the win for Calgary (2-0) with a 23-yard field goal at 13:45. A BMO Field gathering of 17,902 watched the Argos (0-2) raise their Grey Cup banner before the opening kickoff. Article content Calgary earned the victory despite losing all-star receiver Reggie Begelton (knee). Begelton went down on the second play from scrimmage and needed help to leave the field. Article content Begelton later returned to the Stampeders sidelines on crutches and ice taped to his right knee. Article content Toronto lost middle linebacker Wynton McManis (knee) and starting running back Deonta McMahon (ankle) to first-half injuries. Article content Adrian Greene had Calgary's other touchdown. Paredes booted three field goals and a convert. Article content Hajrullahu booted three field goals and a single. John Haggerty added a single. Article content Article content Hajrullahu's 45-yard field goal at 13:06 of the third cut Calgary's lead to 12-8. Article content Paredes' 23-yard field goal into the wind at 5:38 gave Calgary a 12-4 lead. Haggerty's 83-yard punt single at 6:32 pulled Toronto to within 12-5. Article content Hajrullahu's 45-yard field goal to end the second quarter cut Calgary's halftime lead to 9-4. It followed a successful pass-interference challenge by Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie that put the ball at the Stampeders' 45-yard line with 13 seconds to play. Article content Both offences struggled establishing the run in the first half as Toronto had just 28 yards, three more than the Stamps. And neither unit was able to navigate effectively with or against the wind. Article content Greene staked Calgary to a 9-1 lead with a 40-yard pick-six at 8:56. He stepped in front of Nick Arbuckle's pass for David Ungerer III and ran untouched into the end zone. Article content There was no convert attempt due to an errant snap. Article content
National Post
08-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Look who came to town: In photos, Calgary Stampeders kick off 2025 CFL season with alumni — and a win
The Calgary Stampeders, celebrating their 80th season, kicked off festivities with several alumni before going on to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 38-26 in their home opener. Article content Doug Flutie, Mark McLoughlin, Marcus Crandell, Nik Lewis, Jeremaine Copeland and Alex Singleton, all Grey Cup champions with the Stamps, were on hand for the celebrations, from signing autographs before the game to being honoured during breaks between plays. Article content Article content Then, of course, there was the actual game itself, in which Vernon Adams Jr. made his first start at quarterback for the Stampeders, leading them to their first win of the 2025 season. Article content Article content
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary Stampeders seek turnaround in 2025 with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, hands the ball off to Jeshrun Antwi during first half CFL preseason football action against the Edmonton Elks in Calgary, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh) The 2025 CFL season will be a proving ground for the Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders want to show themselves and their fans that the team has what it takes to get back into the playoffs after falling short of the post-season for the first time in 19 years. There will be unprovens in starting jobs for the Stampeders from the defensive backfield to the return game to punting to offensive short-yardage situations. Players have the chance to make a name for themselves and raise their CFL stock. 'We've got maybe a different type of athlete,' said head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson, who enters his third season in the dual roles. 'We do have more size. We've got to find playmakers. It does feel like the guys believe that we have the pieces in place. It's about going out winning games and if we can put it together on that field on that new turf, we'll be a happy group.' Calgary opens at home Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who won two Grey Cups and two CFL Most Outstanding Player awards as a Stampeder. Vernon Adams Jr. makes his Stampeder debut Saturday. Calgary acquired the 32-year-old quarterback in a trade with the B.C. Lions, a month after the Stampeders closed out their dismal 2024 campaign. 'He understands that he is on the pedestal and all eyes are on him,' Stampeders receiver Reggie Begelton said. 'But at the same time, we win or lose as a team. In that locker room, we have his back no matter what.' Adams led the CFL in passing yards in 2023 (4,769) and ranked second in touchdowns (31). He was in the MOP conversation in 2024 with B.C. before he was sidelined with injury in August. Jake Maier, who replaced Mitchell and is now with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, didn't have much success in Calgary with 11 wins over two seasons. But Calgary's defence was also the worst at stopping the rush and 537 points against was the second-worst in 2024. 'First thing for the offence, we've got to not turn the ball over as much,' Dickenson said. 'We had too many of those interceptions and costly ones, and for a multitude of reasons though, not necessarily just quarterback play. 'Defensively, we've got to stop the run. Then special teams, to me, just effort and execution. The execution maybe needs to be better.' The latter department falls to Dickenson's older brother Craig, who was Saskatchewan's head coach for four years. He takes over for Mark Kilam, who, after 15 years as Calgary's special teams co-ordinator, is Edmonton's head coach. Bob Slowik was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive co-ordinator after Brent Monson was hired by Hamilton. Pat DelMonaco starts his sixth season as offensive co-ordinator. But seven new position coaches on Calgary's staff represent a seismic shift for a football club known for coaching continuity and retaining position coaches for multiple years. But finishing last in the CFL prompted the shake-up of a franchise accustomed to playing high-stakes games in November. 'We've had to put it behind us. It's easier because there's really not a lot of guys here from that team,' Dickenson said. 'We don't even really talk about it. We understand history is history and it's certainly something that'll always be there for the guys that were (here) in 2024, but it's certainly a big-time different team. 'We're just a young team and also an inexperienced team, so every day, you have to make it count. What I mean by that is every practice, every meeting really has to count.' Begelton, who signed a contract extension that would make him a Stampeder for a ninth season in 2026, feels the Stampeders are ready for a turnaround in 2025. 'Energy, vibes, you can't deny something when you feel it,' Begelton said. 'There's belief here. 'We know what it takes. We've got a lot of veterans on this team that have been here and been on winning teams, and they know what it takes.' 2024 record: 5-12-1, fifth, West Division Did you know?: New quarterbacks coach Dakota Prukup played for Oregon the year after Vernon Adams Jr. did. Key additions: QB Vernon Adams Jr.; REC Dominique Rhymes; REC Tevin Jones; RB Jeshrun Antwi; DL Folarin Orimolade; LB Gary Johnson Jr.; LB Derrick Moncrief; DB Damon Webb. Key losses: QB Jake Maier (Saskatchewan); QB Tommy Stevens; OL Sean McEwan (Saskatchewan); Punter Cody Grace (Edmonton); LB Micah Awe (B.C.); LB Cam Judge (Toronto); DL Mike Rose (Saskatchewan). Players to watch: Dominique Rhymes has chemistry with Adams Jr. from the season and a half they were teammates with the B.C. Lions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Vernon Adams Jr. and Dominique Rhymes reunite as Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. throws a pass against the Edmonton Elks in Calgary on May 24, 2025. Adams and Dominique Rhymes (15) have reunited as Calgary Stampeders after a season and a half as B.C. Lions teammates. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and receiver Dominique Rhymes want their shared history to be an advantage, for each other and their new team, as both men settle into becoming Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders acquired Adams in a trade with the B.C. Lions in November. Calgary and Adams, 32, quickly agreed to a restructured contract for this season and 2026. Rhymes compiled more than 1,000 receiving yards for the Ottawa Redblacks last year, but he and Adams were Lions teammates for a season and a half after B.C. acquired the quarterback from the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 31, 2022. 'When I got traded to B.C., he was probably the only person on that team who made me feel like I was part of the team,' Adams said Tuesday at Stampeders' training camp. 'I get traded there, I get thrown into the starting spot right away. I don't know the offence, I'm struggling a little bit. The position at quarterback is different. Everyone, they love you when you're winning and then, everyone blames you when you're losing. 'He was the only one after a bad game, after anything, he would always be there by my side. I'll never forget that from him. For that, I owe him everything.' The Lions swung the deal with the Als because starting quarterback Nathan Rourke was injured. Rourke's return to B.C. last season after his NFL stint essentially put Adams on the market, and Calgary was a motivated buyer. Adams threw the ball to Rhymes more than 100 times and for more than 1,000 yards over the combined 2022 and 2023 seasons after the quarterback's arrival in Vancouver. Rhymes sat out eight regular-season games in 2023 because of knee and foot injuries. 'We've been good brothers ever since then and, yeah, playing together in '23 really helps when we came here to Calgary,' Rhymes said. The 31-year-old receiver says Adams joining the Stamps was a compelling reason for him to sign with Calgary in February. 'I've had success with him in the past and history repeats itself,' Rhymes said. 'We challenge each other. If I'm not doing it right or catching the ball right, he'll let me know. If he's not throwing the ball, I'm going to let him know. 'We want to be great for our team. We have that relationship where we're not afraid to critique each other, because we know we want the best out of each other.' Adams asked Calgary's head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson in the off-season if the team could find a big receiver, and the Stampeders managed to reunite him with the six-foot-four, 215-pound Rhymes. 'We did want to surround Vernon with at least one guy he's familiar with, with size,' Dickenson said. 'There were some options out there and I didn't know if Dom was going to be available, but he was and happy to have him.' Adams and Rhymes put in advance work before training camp getting to know their other receivers by congregating in Houston with Reggie Begelton, Jalen Philpot, Daylen Baldwin and Tevin Jones. 'We're there for the week and speed training, receiver training, quarterback training,' Adams said. 'Just getting that timing down.' While Dickenson has several decisions to make before Saturday's roster cut-down day, there's less mystery at receiver because Philpot, Begelton and Rhymes are established veterans. Calgary opens the regular season June 7 at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and former Stampeder quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. The Stampeders completed their pre-season early with Saturday's 31-4 win over the Edmonton Elks, so Dickenson says players still need to prove themselves in camp. 'We're using this still as heavy evaluation. I don't know if you noticed, but it was a very physical practice,' the coach and GM said. 'We put our pads on, we went after each other, and it was high-tempo. That's when you usually separate things.' Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five takeaways as Calgary Stampeders pummel Edmonton Elks in final preseason game
A first-play first down followed by a first-drive touchdown. That's the way to get the home fans feeling good about the Calgary Stampeders for the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign. Even better was parlaying that early success into a convincing win over the rival Edmonton Elks in the CFL pre-season final for the Stampeders — a 31-4 decision Saturday night in front of 15,531 fans at McMahon Stadium. Strong performances? Check. A desired result? Double check. The Elks didn't offer much in the way of starters — 40 rookies peppered the visiting team's roster — but it still makes for a feel-good start for a franchise in need of it this season. And with that the Stampeders are off to the regular season — with a monster break between now and their first game Saturday, June 7 against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon (5 p.m., CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge, TSN). Here are five takeaways from the Stamps win in Langford, B.C. … 1) BIG-START V.A. Fans at McMahon got their first look at Vernon Adams Jr., and the much-heralded quarterback acquired in the off-season strutted his wares. The prized QB — nicknamed 'Big-Play V.A.' — was gunning right from the start and moving the ball with authority, instantly wiping away the stumbles seen at the position of previous years which have maligned the offence. Points were scored on all three drives Adams engineered — a couple of touchdowns on QB sneaks by fellow pivot Logan Bonner and a 52-yard field-goal bombed by veteran kicker René Paredes. After that, it was P.J. Walker's chance to show his wares at quarterback for the Stampeders. And he marched the club downfield on a handful of drives, hooking up with receiver Daylen Baldwin on a 13-yard TD on a third-and-long gamble in the fourth quarter. Josh Love mopped up at QB for the Stamps. 2) RUN, JESHRUN, RUN! Running back Jeshrun Antwi looked right at home in his return to McMahon a few years after starring for the U SPORTS' Calgary Dinos. The local product, who's put together some early-career success in his first few CFL seasons, signed with the Stamps over the winter in hopes of catching on in the backfield. After Saturday's showcase, it looks like he's got a gig with the Red and White. His Canadian citizenship helps, but Antwi's performance — hitting holes with patience and dialling up the speed in the open field — did plenty to help his case. Antwi's actions were part of the larger success put in by all the running backs on the night. American back Eno Benjamin was also dynamic, making a brave catch off an Adams' shovel-pass as part of his solid effort. He also had a dynamic punt return — or two — on the evening, as did receiver Terrell Vaughn. 3) O-LINE, OH YEAH! It's hard to have that kind of success from the backfield without a contribution from the offensive line. And so the Stamps got that, too, with a young but experienced bunch pushing around the Elks defensive line in the trenches. For the early drives, it was centre Rodeem Brown, guards Zack Williams and Christy Nkanu and tackles D'Antne Demery and Josh Coker — a could-be starting five on the o-line. Later on, the others stepped up and continued the excellence and their own individual pushes for roster spots. Bryce Bell, a third-year centre pencilled in at that position, missed the pre-season due to injury. So he'll add more experience to a unit that's gelled well through training camp. 4) DEFENSIVE DECISIONS With pretty much an entirely new defence set to be in place for the Stampeders, there are plenty of decisions to be made. And those who got the reps Saturday didn't do the coaching staff any favours. There were simply many gamers. Returnee Clarence Hicks, fellow defensive end Shaun Peterson Jr. — with speed and a sack — middle linebacker Marquel Lee and defensive back Jeremy Lucien were among the staunch performers. 5) FLAG-FREE STAMPS The Stampeders put up another disciplined display of football, just as they did a week ago in the 26-16 win over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. That wasn't the case on the Elks' side of the field, however. The difference perhaps in why the Stamps haven't taken many penalties was the extended training camp visit of former CFL referee Bud Steen. The Edmontonian came to Calgary to help the Red and White in practice, helping to quickly acquaint the many new players to the team — especially those more familiar with the American game — to the Canadian rules. It seems to have helped big-time for the Stamps, and that should put them ahead of other clubs early in the regular schedule. tsaelhof@
