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Features September 4, 2025

Ready For The Rematch

Dedrick Mills is ready to take another run at the Elks.

Mills and the Stamps took care of business on Monday during the Labour Day Classic, dominating the Edmonton Elks on their way to a 28-7 victory in front of nearly 28,000 fans at McMahon Stadium.

Now, the Red and White head up the QE2 to take on their provincial rival in the rematch Saturday at 5 p.m. MT.

It was a strong performance guided by a smothering defence and a dazzling effort by Stampeders running back Mills, who racked up 106 yards on the ground pacing him to his second 100-yard rushing game of the season.

Mills sits second in the CFL in rushing yards with 844 and is tied for the most TD’s on the ground with eight this year.

“I just have to get behind my O-line, allow them to open up holes and get through them,” he said. “I am playing with confidence and playing better than ever with them and my quarterback.

“The only new piece we really have is the centre position and we have Preston (Nichols) stepping in for Demery. Other than that, no one is missing a beat. The younger guys are stepping in for the older guys. They’re just getting the job done so we can get in the endzone and make plays.”

The defence once again played big for the Stampeders, registering four quarterback sacks and making life difficult on Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo. The Stamps D hasn’t given up a touchdown in six quarters heading into Saturday’s game.

“This is a whole new team, a whole new group of guys and that defence plays as a unit,” explained Mills. “They all play as one and each does their 1/12th. We see them over there playing, making turnovers, making tackles, sacking the quarterback and getting pressure, that’s all we ask for the defence to do is make the quarterback uncomfortable and stop the run so they do a great job of that.”

Now it’s time for a repeat performance in the rematch.

“Coach gave us a little bit of rest this week,” he said. “We used the time that we had wisely and focused and zoned in on the mistakes we made in the game and fixed them so we can be better next game.

“You’ve got to be focused because the second of the back-to-back is always more aggressive. They come with more and more stuff. We just have to come prepared and be ready and be the more physical team.”

Following Saturday’s tilt the Stamps will have their final bye week of the season before returning home Sept. 19 to take on the BC Lions.

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