Vernon Adams Jr. finally gets to face his former team.
The Calgary Stampeders (8-4) come off a bye week to host the B.C. Lions (6-7) on Friday night. Adams Jr. spent two seasons in Vancouver before being dealt to Alberta following the ’24 campaign.
Adams Jr. opened ’24 as B.C.’s starter and was enjoying a stellar campaign before suffering a knee injury in an Aug. 1 loss to Winnipeg. While Adams Jr. recovered, Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke returned to the Lions following NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta.
Adams Jr. returned to the starting lineup for B.C.’s regular-season finale and its 28-19 West Division semifinal loss to Saskatchewan. He was 20-of-33 passing for 317 yards with two TDs in the playoff contest but also had three interceptions.
In the end, B.C. elected to stick with Rourke, a Victoria native.
Adams Jr. is enjoying a decent ’25 season. He has completed 184-of-285 passes (64.6 per cent) for 2,826 yards with 15 TDs and eight interceptions while rushing 25 times for 180 yards (7.2-yard average) and a TD.
Calgary also boasts the CFL’s second-best rushing attack (115.6 yards per game) with Dedrick Mills (882 yards, 5.2-yard average, eight TDs) leading the way. The Stampeders have attempted a CFL-low 336 passes (they’re sixth overall in passing yards at 263.1 per game).
Rourke is also having a solid ’25 campaign, standing third overall in passing yards (3,604) and tied for third in TDs (20 with Saskatchewan’s Trevor Harris). Rourke has also registered eight 300-yard games, leaving him tied with Toronto’s Nick Arbuckle and Hamilton’s Bo Levi Mitchell for most in the CFL.
B.C.’s offence is much more than a one-man show. The Lions also boast the league’s top receiver in Keon Hatcher (105 targets, 71 catches, 1,170 yards) and leading rusher in James Butler Jr. (989 yards, 76.1 per game).
The Lions also have the CFL’s top-scoring offence (28.0 offensive points per game). In addition, B.C. leads the CFL in offensive TDs (38) and net offensive yards (421.8 per game).
Calgary counters with a defence that’s tops in fewest offensive points allowed (19.1 per game) and offensive touchdowns (18, 11 less than second-place Winnipeg).
B.C. defensive lineman Mathieu Betts is tied with Montreal’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund for most sacks (eight). Calgary’s Clarence Hicks and Jaylon Hutchings are among a group at seven.
This is the first of two meetings this season between the two teams. They’ll square off again Oct. 4 in Vancouver.
Calgary is 5-2 at home and 6-1 versus West Division rivals. B.C. is 3-4 on the road but just 2-4 within its conference.
Former Calgary linebacker Glenn Love will attend Friday’s game. A ’14 Grey Cup champion with the Stampeders, Love was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last year and has started the Love Life ALS Foundation to help others who are battling the ailment and also provide support for families.
Pick: Calgary.
Montreal Alouettes versus Toronto Argonauts (Friday night)
At Toronto, Montreal (6-7) comes in off an impressive 48-31 road win in Regina. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson came off the injured list to record 379 passing yards and three TDs with Tyson Philpot registering nine catches for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The Argos (5-8) have won three straight as Jarret Doege starts with Nick Arbuckle (calf) out. Doege came off the bench to engineer the drive that led to Lirim Hajrullahu’s game-winning 48-yard field last week versus Edmonton.
Pick: Montreal.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus Ottawa Redblacks (Saturday afternoon)
At Ottawa, starter Dru Brown (knee) looks to return for the Redblacks (4-9) after Dustin Crum threw for 307 yards and a TD while adding 58 yards rushing and two TDs in last week’s 38-27 loss to B.C. Bralon Addison (11 catches, 132 yards) and Justin Hardy (nine catches 100 yards, TD) were his favourite targets. Chris Streveler could make a second straight start for Winnipeg (6-7) as incumbent Zach Collaros (head) has been limited in practice. Streveler threw for 241 yards with a TD and two interceptions versus Hamilton last week.
Pick: Ottawa.
Edmonton Elks versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night)
At Hamilton, Edmonton (5-8) plays a second straight game in Ontario following last week’s loss in Toronto despite forcing six turnovers (four interceptions, twice on downs). Cody Fajardo was 25-of-28 passing for 229 yards and two TDs but the Argos returned his late fumble for a TD as the Argos outscored the Elks 17-6 in the fourth for the 31-30 win. The Ticats come off a 32-21 home win over Winnipeg as Greg Bell ran for 137 yards and a TD, his second straight 100-yard rushing contest. The offence also turned two interceptions into TDs.
Pick: Hamilton.
Last week: 3-1.
Overall: 35-23.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
