The Calgary Stampeders (1-0) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-1) kicked off the 2026 CFL Preseason on Monday afternoon from McMahon Stadium.
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. played a couple of series, where he completed 3 of 5 passes (60%) for 81 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one carry for 10 yards. In his first series, he threw an interception, but in his second series threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Philpot. The Stampeders would go on to beat the Roughriders 20-15.
Running back Deonta McMahon had five carries for 29 yards, and Kayron Lynch-Adams had seven carries for 14 yards and two catches for 34 yards. Jalen Philpot made two catches for 83 yards and one touchdown, and Jeremiah Hunter made two catches for 32 yards.
With P.J. Walker retiring several weeks ago, the battle for Calgary’s backup role was on full display. Josh Love completed 5 of 10 passes (50%) for 68 yards, two carries for 22 yards, and one rushing touchdown. He scored a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Ben Wooldridge completed 3 of 4 passes (75%) for 50 yards and three carries for nine yards. Jacolby Criswell completed 1 of 2 passes (50%) for 17 yards and one carry for two yards. Kicker Dawson Hodge made one field goal for 43 yards, and Jude McAtamney made 1 of 3 field goals (33%) for 37 yards, and made two extra points.
On defense, defensive linemen Elijah Hills, Daniel Joseph, and Steven Kpehe each recorded a sack, and linebacker Kyle Wilson made an interception. Calgary would finish the game with 325 yards (222 passing yards, 112 rushing yards, 9 lost), 16 first downs, three sacks, 1 for 1 in the redzone, and the team was penalized nine times for 81 yards.
On the other side, Saskatchewan quarterback Jack Coan completed 9 of 15 passes (60%) for 98 yards, one interception, and three carries for 22 yards. Tommy Stevens completed 2 of 4 passes (50%) for 11 yards and two carries for five yards.
Brayden Schager completed 10 of 18 passes (55%) for 139 yards, five carries for 41 yards, and one rushing touchdown. Schager scored a 20-yard rushing touchdown as time expired. Running back Mario Anderson had four carries for 21 yards, and Quali Conley had four carries for 11 yards.
Mathew Sexton led the receivers with five catches for 78 yards, and Abdul Janneh made three catches for 44 yards. With Brett Lauther now in Ottawa, Saskatchewan was auditioning new kickers for the starting job. Kicker Jonathan Kim made 2 of 2 field goals with a long of 45 yards and one kickoff for 59 yards, while Alex Hale made one field goal for 28 yards, and two kickoffs for 144 yards.
On defense, defensive linemen Kendy Charles, Davin Vann, and Chico Bennett Jr. each recorded a sack, and defensive back Nelson Lokombo recorded an interception. Saskatchewan had 329 yards (248 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, 23 lost), 21 first downs, three sacks, 1 for 2 in the redzone, and the team was penalized four times for 40 yards.
Saskatchewan will wrap up its preseason next Saturday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 7 pm EST, while the Calgary Stampeders will wrap up their preseason on May 29th against the Edmonton Elks.
