Breadcrumb Trail Links
Sports
Football
CFL
Calgary takes down Saskatchewan in a convincing 20-15 victory to open up the 2026 CFL pre-season
Published May 18, 2026 • Last updated 11 minutes ago • 7 minute read
The Calgary Stampeders battle the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Pre=seasn action at McMahon stadium in Calgary
The Calgary Stampeders battle the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Pre=seasn action at McMahon stadium in Calgary on Monday, May 18, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia Photo by Darren Makowichuk /DARREN MAKOWICHUK/Postmedia
Article content
Live football returned to McMahon Stadium on holiday Monday.
Advertisement 2
Toronto Sun
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Article content
Article content
So, too, did the tough roster decisions for the Calgary Stampeders in a convincing 20-15 pre-season win — chalked full of strong performances — over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It’s a nice problem to have, because the sharp start means the Stampeders have competition for jobs in vying to field a top contender for the Grey Cup being hosted in Calgary to end the 2026 Canadian Football League campaign.
“It felt like pre-season,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “What is it? Like nine days in or something like that? Yeah … I felt it was a simple, simple game, meaning that they didn’t do much, we didn’t do much … we just couldn’t. A lot of times in simple games, it is just trying to make the easy play, instead of trying to force feed things. There was a little bit more (aggressiveness) at the end — maybe some cover-zero blitz.
“But for the most part, I thought it was one of those games that it was just do your job and see who’s better.”
For the most part, it was the Stamps who were better, especially off the hop.
Advertisement 3
Article content
With the Roughriders fielding mostly rookies for the early pre-season affair, the Stamps veteran lineup dominated to post a 7-3 first-quarter lead.
A 70-yard bomb to a wide-open Jalen Philpot from an energetic Vernon Adams Jr. got the hosts off and running, and they never looked back. The hook-up was the play of the game and, really, the only big excitement of the contest.
“It’s good that we got the lead,” Dickenson said. “Turnovers are always big. I mean … they got the (first-drive) pick of Adams, and then they give it back to us (on a Kyle Wilson interception).”
And from there, Dickenson’s charges kept it clean — with solid play throughout the game — en route to the victory.
Here are 4 takeaways from the CFL pre-season tilt eyeballed by an official attendance of 16,986 fans at McMahon, home of the 2026 Grey Cup in November …
1) QB OR NOT QB?
Adams was Adams, even in limited action, with the usual excitement he brings to the offence producing typical results of the turnover and the touchdown.
opening envelope
Your Midday Sun
Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Article content
Advertisement 4
Article content
“The play to Jalen, that was (Vernon’s) play,” Dickenson said. “I mean … Jalen obviously did a good job, but (Vernon’s) the one that made the play (stepping through the rush and heaving the ball downfield). I’d rather him not be running ..
“Pre-season, I’m kind of hoping just keep him as healthy as possible.”
The Stamps top QB was only under centre for the two drives, going 3-of-5 for 87 yards and running once for 10 yards before giving way to the battle for the other spots between returnee Josh Love and rookies Ben Wooldridge and Jacolby Criswell.
“I thought Josh moved the pocket and had some good plays,” said Dickenson, who watched the 29-year-old pivot generate the Stamps’ only other TD drive — capped by Love’s own sneak from one-yard out in the second quarter.
“Ben has been (moving the pocket) consistently in practice. Jacoby, he didn’t get a lot of time in there, but I think he did it right.”
Love, who looked polished, was 5-of-10 for 68 passing yards and two rushes for 22 yards in a quarter-plus of work, while Wooldridge finished 3-of-4 for 50 yards and Criswell 1-of-2 for 17 yards in a quarter’s worth of performance each.
Advertisement 5
Article content
“They’re fighting, and we’ll see,” added Dickenson. “Three? Four? I don’t know how many we’ll keep, but it’s still a moving target on that. But obviously, I thought it was important to get Vernon in there, and I thought he got something out of it and helped us win overall.”
Calgary Stampeders Khairi Manns battles Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Brayden Schager in pre-season action at McMahon stadium
Calgary Stampeders Khairi Manns battles Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Brayden Schager in pre-season action at McMahon stadium in Calgary on Monday, May 18, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia Photo by Darren Makowichuk /DARREN MAKOWICHUK/Postmedia
2) BENDY NO BREAKIE
The defence didn’t allow a major until the final seconds of the contest, marking a significant showing by those trying to make their mark on that side of the ball.
It was a bend-but-don’t-break performance, for sure, with just that late TD — on a Brayden Schager 20-yard QB scamper — and three field-goals surrendered by the Stamps, who proved staunch in allowing 248 passing yards and 104 rushing yards.
“The big thing was I did like our tackling,” Dickenson said. “I thought we were aggressive. What I liked, too, is I thought we did a great job when they had some open players, we got our hands on the ball and knocked some passes down.
“We played a little bit more man (coverage) than we normally do, but let’s evaluate our guys, so you can do it. I think if you can play man, you can do zone (coverage). To me, you’ve got to work on your man and see if you can cover.”
Advertisement 6
Article content
The front four for the Stamps got plenty of pressure on the Roughriders QBs game-long, racking up three sacks and a forced fumble the Riders retained along the way.
It was rookie Elijah Hills and veteran Daniel Joseph sacking Jack Coan in the second quarter and 2026 Stephen Kpehe dropping Schager in the fourth frame. Meanwhile, it was Kelechi Anyalebechi knocking the ball out of Coan’s hands, also in the second quarter, in trying to find more field-time for the Stamps in his second season.
Hills, a defensive tackle, also stood out with four tackles. Only defensive back Jordan Polk had more — with five.
“So good tackling, we did pressure the quarterback, and I thought we played with physicality,” Dickenson added. “All good things.”
3) NEW RULES, NO PROBLEM
The CFL’s first phase of ‘Operation NFL’ — some might say — got its first look in the inaugural game of the new campaign.
So that meant some adjusting on all fronts, especially for the coaches where the time-clock is concerned.
Advertisement 7
Article content
Team now have 35 seconds from the end of the previous play to substitute, huddle, line up and snap the football for the next down. The CFL was using a 20-second play-clock that started when the referee whistled in the play once the ball has been placed at the correct spot on the field following the previous down.
“It didn’t feel much different,” said Dickenson, of the new time process Monday. “I thought it was pretty easy and well-run. I felt like the plays were running in about that consistent manner.
“The big thing is it doesn’t allow a team to sub personnel and go really slow and saunter out there and milk the clock — and that’s the big thing for me. I think that’s going to be important. I think you’re going to see more continuous action.
“I liked what we did as football people and said, ‘No … let’s keep our last three minutes. Let’s make sure that the games are still decided in that last three minutes.’ You can’t just take a bunch of knees or run the clock out. So I’m in favour of this right now.
Advertisement 8
Article content
“I think it flowed quite well.”
Also new to the CFL is the removal of the very Canadian single-point rouge on any punt, kickoff or missed field-goal attempt that goes through the back or side of the endzone.
After an early such punt by the Roughriders, a point was awarded to the visitors, creating some confusion.
But it didn’t take long before that single point was scratched from the scoreboard.
There will always be some moments like that with new rules now in place.
4) WALKING THE WALK
So just who stood out for the Stamps on the field or along the sidelines?
That’s a tough question to answer given the strong performances across the board.
The coach certainly liked what he saw from the hopefuls and his new staffers, such as QB coach Jarious Jackson.
“The big thing is the guys that have been doing it in practice did it (Sunday),” Dickenson said. “Like sometimes when the lights are on, maybe one guy surprises you and has a little more jump than others, or the other thing is sometimes when lights are on, guys make a lot of errors and mental errors. I didn’t think we did that.
Advertisement 9
Article content
“I need to watch the tape. I need to figure it out. But the guys that seem to be comfortable in making plays in practice did the same thing out here. And … you … know that also clears the picture up for me as a coach.
“Obviously, we’ve got 85-plus players here right now, and we’ve got to get that down to 55 or 60. So there’ll be some tough decisions we need to make after our last pre-season game.”
That last pre-season game is the next one — slated for Friday, May 29, against the host Edmonton Elks (7 p.m., QR77).
And then it’s go-time for the Stampeders in the 2026 CFL regular season — versus the incoming Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, June 5, at McMahon (7 p.m., QR77, TSN).
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Comments