Stampeders keep playoff hopes alive with win over Lions

CALGARY — Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 324 yards and a touchdown while Quincy Vaughn ran in for a pair of majors as the Calgary Stampeders defeated the BC Lions 32-13 to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Stampeders shut out the Lions in the second half of Saturday's game in what was a must-win game for the home team. With a Week 21 bye on the horizon, the Stamps can only sit back and hope that their 9-9 record is enough to earn them the West Division's final playoff spot.

BC's Sean Whyte converted a 48-yard field goal to put the Lions ahead after the game's opening possession. After Rene Paredes answered back with a field goal of his own, Rourke located Justin McInnis at the goal line for the game's first touchdown, putting BC back on top as they brought a 10-3 lead into the second quarter.

Calgary appeared to turn it over on downs but a Dave Dickenson coach's challenge resulted in a defensive pass interference call against BC, setting up a first-and-goal opportunity for the hosts. Vaughn fought his way into the end zone from a yard out to tie things up at 10-10 in the second quarter. Whyte and Paredes each hit another field goal in the second quarter as the teams went into halftime tied at 13-13.

Having already secured a home playoff game following Winnipeg's loss to Edmonton on Friday, BC decided to rest Rourke in the second half, giving the controls to backup quarterback Kaidon Salter. Rourke finished his day 8-11 passing, throwing for 149 yards and a touchdown while Salter was unable to lead his offence on any scoring drives after the break.

Calgary got into their first lead early in the second half off of Paredes' third make of the evening, the only points scored in a third quarter where Adams Jr. threw an interception and both kickers missed a field goal with strong winds playing a factor at McMahon Stadium.

Deonta McMahon broke free for a 50-yard rush to help Calgary to their second touchdown of the game, a 12-yard pass from Adams Jr. to Ajou Ajou midway through the fourth. That major made it a two-score game at 25-13 and Salter was picked off by Anthony Johnson on the following possession as BC was unable to fight back late.

McMahon registered 105 rushing yards on nine carries and also had five catches for 44 yards receiving. Jalen Philpot reached 3000 receiving yards on the season with a 15-yard catch in the first quarter. He finished Saturday's contest with five receptions for 60 yards.

Jevon Cottoy was BC's leading receiver in the losing effort, reeling in his three targets for 94 yards.

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SCORING PLAYS

• Sean Whyte 48-yard field goal (12:04, Q1) | BC 3, CGY 0

• Rene Paredes 24-yard field goal (6:20, Q1) | BC 3, CGY 3

• Nathan Rourke 19-yard touchdown pass to Justin McInnis (4:15, Q1) | BC 10, CGY 3

• Quincy Vaughn one-yard rushing touchdown (10:31, Q2) | BC 10, CGY 10

• Sean Whyte 26-yard field goal (3:01, Q2) | BC 13, CGY 10

• Rene Paredes 22-yard field goal (0:40, Q2) | BC 13, CGY 13

• Rene Paredes 29-yard field goal (11:02, Q3) | CGY 16, BC 13

• Rene Paredes 32-yard field goal (10:06, Q4) | CGY 19, BC 13

• Vernon Adams Jr. 12-yard touchdown pass to Ajou Ajou (5:02, Q4) | CGY 25, BC 13

• Quincy Vaughn two-yard rushing touchdown (1:22, Q4) | CGY 32, BC 13

NEXT UP

The Lions will return to Vancouver in Week 21, facing off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, October 23. BC has dropped lost four of their past five against Winnipeg.

The Stampeders will be the lone team on bye during the final week of the regular season. If the Blue Bombers are defeated by the Lions in Week 21 the Stampeders will clinch the crossover spot and travel to face the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, October 31.