Stamps itchin’ to cowboy up

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/07/2025 (267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders are fully embracing Thursday’s inaugural Stampede Bowl.

After wrapping up walk-through practice Wednesday morning at McMahon Stadium, each member of the red and white were handed cowboy hats to get into the spirit of things.

“How’s it look?” asked Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

“Never really worn one before. First Stampede Bowl, and I’m just excited to be part of it. We’re all excited.”

It’s hard to believe, but it’s the first time the Stampeders have been home on the eve of the Calgary Stampede.

They’re committed to running this new kickoff event for at least the next three years and if it’s a success, they’ll keep up with it moving forward.

And then, there’s their opponent this week: the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

There are no wide-brimmed western hats, belt buckles, or boots being worn on their side. For them, this is just another business trip, and they’re treating it as such.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

“Winning the game is where our mindset is,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

The Bombers (3-0) and Stampeders (2-1) will get to know each other very well over the next month or so as the schedule has them playing three out of the next five weeks.

To get you ready for their first showdown, here’s the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

Brady is back

Star running back Brady Oliveira will make his return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.

“This is like my debut to the season it feels like,” said Oliveira, who was injured on the opening drive of the first game, on Wednesday shortly after landing in Calgary.

“I’m ready to go and I’m excited.”

The Bombers failed to rush for 100-plus yards in their previous two games so it’s an ideal time to welcome back the reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player.

“He’s the best tailback in the league. Obviously, he does it all for us,” said O’Shea.

Oliveira practised all week and is ready to take on a full workload. He’ll aim to have a better showing than his last time in Calgary when Stamps held him to 26 yards on 10 carries on June 29, 2024.

With Oliveira drawing back in, rookie American running back Quinton Cooley has been moved to the practice roster and American guard Micah Vanterpool has been added to the active roster. Now that he fits under the ratio rules, Vanterpool will start at left guard over second-year Canadian Gabe Wallace to give the Bombers three imports on the O-line.

Stiff test for Collaros & Co.

Zach Collaros was brilliant in last week’s 36-23 home victory against Edmonton, completing 25-of-30 passes for 334 yards, three passing TDs and one rushing score.

He made the Elks pay with the deep ball, with receivers Nic Demski, Keric Wheatfall and Dalton Schoen all getting in on the action.

It’ll be a challenge for Collaros to have a repeat performance considering how Calgary has allowed one 20-plus yard passing play this season. They also have the best red zone defence in the nine-team league as their opponents have made it past the Calgary 20 five times and two of those drives resulted in touchdowns.

This isn’t the same Stampeders team that allowed 29.2 points per contest a year ago, which was the second-worst in the CFL. They made big additions in all three phases of the defence this winter by signing defensive end Folarin Orimolade, safety Damon Webb and linebacker Derrick Moncrief in free agency. This defence has also had former Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill in their ear all week sharing everything he can about his previous club.

Bighill, who signed to Calgary’s practice roster last week after six seasons in Winnipeg, is still recovering from a torn ACL and will not play Thursday.

Collaros, who passed the legendary Ken Ploen last week to move to No. 4 on the Bombers’ all-time passing yardage list, is 10-6 in his career against Calgary.

“I think Zach is one of the best,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson on Thursday.

“I love watching him play — not necessarily against us. He’s one of my favourite guys… I just really have a lot of respect for him.”

Are Stamps for real?

The Stampeders can make a massive statement with a win Thursday.

They enter the week with the No. 2-ranked defence (21.6 points per game allowed) and rushing attack (135 ground yards per game) but haven’t had a chance to test their skills against a West Division foe until now. They beat up on Hamilton and Toronto the first two weeks before falling 20-12 at home in Week 3 against Ottawa and their backup QB Dustin Crum on an afternoon that was heavily influenced by rain and wind.

They’ve had extra time to prepare for this one as they were off last week, but oddly enough, they are 2-6 after byes dating to 2022. They also haven’t done a great job of protecting their turf against Winnipeg lately as the Bombers have won three of their past four trips to McMahon Stadium. Overall, the Bombers have prevailed in 10 of 13 previous dates with the Stamps.

To pull off a victory, it’ll be important for Calgary to have the lead heading into the fourth. Since 2019, the Blue and Gold are 49-4 when leading after three quarters.

New QB in Calgary

With the Jake Maier era being a huge flop, the Stampeders made a deal with the B.C. Lions shortly after the Grey Cup to acquire Adams Jr.

While he helped Calgary start 2-0, his numbers so far are rather pedestrian as he’s still searching for his first passing touchdown. He’s completed 63 per cent of his passes for 803 yards and three interceptions. His stats are a tad bit misleading as he has led the team to six touchdown drives. He’s also found success with his legs with 108 rushing yards and a score.

The magic number for Thursday is 275 passing yards because when Adams hits that mark, his teams are 23-7. He owns a 4-3 record against the Bombers in his nine-year CFL career.

Vaughters makes his return

Defensive end James Vaughters spent four seasons with the Stampeders and recorded 21 sacks in 57 games.

Calgary decided to release the 32-year-old in January and the Bombers jumped at the chance of adding a veteran pass rusher to their D-line to complement Willie Jefferson.

“The Stampeders, as a club, gave me an opportunity when I needed it the most at one point in my career,” said Vaughters.

“More important than my emotions is the club I play for now and to be able to contribute the way I want to. For me, it’s coming back to a place where I played a lot, but for our team, it’s the next team we have to play. I think that’s more important than anything.”

Vaughters was brought to Winnipeg to take down opposing quarterbacks but is still searching for his first sack as a member of the Blue and Gold.

He’ll have a good chance to get it against his old pals as the Stamps have surrendered seven through three games.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca