Live football returned to McMahon Stadium on holiday Monday, as the Calgary Stampeders opened their 2026 CFL preseason with a convincing 20-15 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The win, full of strong performances, sets the stage for tough roster decisions as the team vies for a Grey Cup championship to be hosted in Calgary this November.
Game Recap
The Stampeders jumped out to an early lead, posting a 7-3 advantage in the first quarter. A 70-yard touchdown pass from Vernon Adams Jr. to a wide-open Jalen Philpot highlighted the first half and proved to be the play of the game. The Roughriders, fielding mostly rookies, struggled to keep pace with Calgary's veteran lineup.
Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson noted the simplicity of the preseason contest. "It felt like pre-season," he said. "We just couldn't do much. A lot of times in simple games, it is just trying to make the easy play, instead of trying to force feed things." Dickenson praised his team's ability to take an early lead and maintain control, with turnovers playing a key role.
Quarterback Battle
Adams, the Stampeders' top quarterback, played only two drives, completing 3 of 5 passes for 87 yards and rushing once for 10 yards before giving way to the competition for backup spots. Josh Love, Ben Wooldridge, and Jacolby Criswell all saw action. Love led the Stamps' only other touchdown drive, capped by a one-yard sneak in the second quarter.
"I thought Josh moved the pocket and had some good plays," Dickenson said of Love's performance.
Key Takeaways
- Defensive Standouts: The Stampeders' defense forced key turnovers, including an interception by Kyle Wilson that swung momentum early.
- Special Teams: Solid special teams play helped Calgary maintain field position throughout the game.
- Roster Competition: With several strong performances, the Stampeders face difficult decisions as they trim the roster ahead of the regular season.
- Fan Support: An official attendance of 16,986 fans witnessed the preseason tilt at McMahon Stadium, which will host the 2026 Grey Cup.
Dickenson emphasized the importance of staying healthy during preseason. "Pre-season, I'm kind of hoping just keep him as healthy as possible," he said of Adams. The Stampeders will continue to evaluate their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
