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'A resilient group — we’ve just got to find a way to win,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson
Published Jun 21, 2026 • 6 minute read
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. battles the Saskatchewan Roughriders defence in first-half CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
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Too little, too late and tagged with an 0-2 start to the 2026 Canadian Football League campaign.
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That’s how it was for the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night at McMahon Stadium.
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Another heartbreaking loss — this one to the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in overtime fashion — leaves them in that spot and with a few questions to answer moving forward.
Most importantly, how do they get in the win column despite two tight losses so far on the regular schedule?
“A resilient group — we’ve just got to find a way to win,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “We’re making some plays and getting ourselves in position to win.
“We’ve just got to find a way.”
Two field goals in overtime weren’t enough for the Stampeders to get the job done, as the visiting Roughriders answered with a field goal and the game-winning points in the extra session on a Tommy Stevens one-yard touchdown for the 40-37 victory.
Their second walk-off loss in as many games is ever tough to swallow, given the Stamps rallied for two TDs and didn’t allow one in the final quarter to force OT.
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“We probably, honestly, got outplayed,” Dickenson said. “But we did have our chances and we kept fighting.
“It’s tough to lose that when you feel like you had a chance to come back to win.
“A call here, a call there, an opportunity here, an opportunity there … I think actually the momentum was with us, and then overtime, we just weren’t able to win it.”
Here are four takeaways from the Stamps’ loss to the Grey Cup champs Saturday on a windy night at McMahon …
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1. Not in it early
The offence struggled early with three first-quarter possessions that were essentially three-and-outs, and the defence did its best to hold off the visitors.
But a first-drive field-goal by Riders kicker Alex Hale from 27 yards out and a TD march allowed that spilled into the second quarter put the hosts in a 10-0 hole.
The Stamps finally got it going in the second frame, thanks to a Clarence Hicks strip-sack of Riders QB Trevor Harris, who fumbled it away to Stamps linebacker Marquel Lee. That led to the first of Quincy Vaughn’s two QB dives for TDs to get the hosts on the board.
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But the champs are champs for a reason, answering the Red and White’s two majors in the quarter — the second on an electrifying 120-yard missed field goal TD return by Tyreik McAllister — with two more TD drives in the quarter for the 23-14 lead.
“First half, obviously, got dominated,” Dickenson said. “Trevor was right on point.”
Really, veteran QB Harris was on point throughout to finish 23-of-36 for 349 passing yards and three TDs.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Shaun Peterson battles Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris in first-half CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
Stamps counterpart Vernon Adams Jr. did get going to show out, as well, wrapping up the night 20-for-30 for 254 yards and the TD connection of 12 yards to receiver Tevin Jones in the last minute of regulation.
Backfield mate Dedrick Mills rumbled for 103 yards on 15 carries, to boot.
“Vernon really was throwing the ball well and finding some windows,” Dickenson said. “And by doing that, we stayed on the field and we were then able to get Mills going. And our offensive line played better in the second half.
“Vernon really showed great resiliency that second half,” continued Dickenson. “He made a lot of great plays for us with his feet and his arm.
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“Pretty impressive the way both quarterbacks threw the ball in this win, because it was substantial again, but I thought both guys threw the ball well.”
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. battles the Saskatchewan Roughriders defence in first-half CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
2. Too many penalties
Not that the Roughriders were angels by being flagged for seven fouls.
But the Stamps took 10 and the 100 yards given up on those penalties totalled twice the yardage surrendered by the Riders in that department and certainly played a vital role in the contest.
“Early, for sure,” admitted Dickenson. “I know, in the first half, we took two vital ones.
“You probably know my feelings on that — we have to play by the rules. We have to make sure we do that. Did I think we earned some of them? Sure. Other ones, I guess I’ll look at film and make my mind up from there.
“Unfortunately, they called the one on us late (on receiver Vyshonne Janusas for holding to wipe out a first down in overtime), which I thought, honestly, the hands were pretty, pretty much on his interior.
“But it is what it is. Penalties certainly are more magnified in overtime and frustrates you, but we’ve just got to play by the rules.”
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Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson was irate over a call as the Stampeders lost in overtime to the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
3. Strong return
Jaylon Hutchings saw his first game action since rejoining the Stamps last month and looked solid doing it.
The all-CFL star defensive tackle of 2025 was in on three tackles — Lee led the defence with eight game-wide — in his 2026 debut, hoping it helps springboard him to another stellar year.
The Stamps need it from Hutchings.
“I thought he’d play pretty good,” Dickenson said. “He played a lot. I don’t know how many plays he ended up with, but he’s got to make us better. So I thought for the most part our defensive line had a pretty good job. We did get after him, got that strip-sack early (by Hicks) — that was a huge play for us, gave us at least a chance.
“We’ll just have to be better as a group. I think we’re growing. It wasn’t our best, certainly, but I think our defensive line has to be the leaders of our group.”
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Calgary Stampeders defence tackles Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette in first-half CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
4. Strong resolve
The Stampeders have gotten themselves back into the first two games on the schedule with positive late-game play, even to take the lead in Week 1 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the late going of that match.
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But it’s resolve going forward they now need to stay on track for what they hoped would be a good start to the season in what’s shaping up to be a very tough West Division.
At 2-0, they are tied with the BC Lions on the bottom rung of the ladder. The Bombers are 1-1. And the Roughriders are 2-0 along with the upstart Edmonton Elks.
One or two timely plays the other way Saturday could’ve put the Stamps in a stronger state of mind after the first two games, so now it’s up to them to erase any doubts with a trip to Kelowna, B.C., to play the host Lions next Saturday at the Apple Bowl (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary 770 AM).
Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders cornerback Anthony Johnson battles Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver KeeSean Johnson in second-half CFL action at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
“It can beat you up a little bit,” said Dickenson, of the heartbreaking losses. “So I want our guys to try to take some of the positives out of that game.
“We’re fighting — just not playing good enough football. And I think our guys believe in the talent in the room and that we will find a way, but you don’t want to get in the hole too far.
“Our goal will bet to get better. Let’s go. Let’s fix some of the things we’re struggling with. If we play better, hopefully that translates in to winning football.”
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
X: @ToddSaelhofPM
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