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Features September 18, 2025

7 Things – Lions @ Stamps

 

1. Us

The Stampeders return from their final bye week of the season and look to bounce back from a Week 14 loss to the Edmonton Elks in the Labour Day rematch. They’ll have the opportunity to improve upon their 8-4 record with a West division matchup against the BC Lions on Friday night at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff goes at 7:30 p.m.

BUY TICKETS

The evening marks Vernon Adams Jr.’s first game against his former team since being traded to Calgary in the off-season. The seasoned veteran threw for 9,202 yards and 53 touchdowns in 44 games for the Lions from 2022-24.

2. Them

The Lions were the only West division team to find the win column over the Stamps bye week, defeating the Ottawa Redblacks in a 38-27 decision at BC Place after dropping a 34-33 loss in the nation’s capital the week before.

BC’s Week 15 win improves their record to 6-7, tying them with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the process for third place in the West.

3. Head to Head

Calgary and BC met three times last season with the home team winning on each occasion. The Stamps were 25-24 winners at McMahon Stadium and lost 26-17 and 32-15 in two visits to BC Place.

This year, the West division rivals will only see each other twice in the regular season with the next matchup just two weeks away when the Red and White travel west of the Rockies to battle the Leos in Vancouver on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. MT. That contest will mark the first of three road games in a row for the Stamps, who will return for their final regular season game at McMahon on Oct. 18.

4. Fast Facts

It’s a proverbial matchup of the immovable object against the irresistible force as the Stamps have allowed a league-low 245 points so far this season while the Lions are the highest-scoring team in the West with 378 points.

Three of the CFL’s top quarterback-chasers will be on display as Mathieu Betts of the Lions is tied for the league lead with eight sacks while Clarence Hicks and Jaylon Hutchings of the Stamps are one behind with seven sacks apiece.

The Stampeders are 5-2 at home so far this season and are 6-1 against West Division opponents. The Lions are 3-4 on the road and 2-4 against the West.

Thanks to our Director of Communications Jean Lefebvre for handing off these facts!

Indigenous celebration

As part of the Stampeders’ annual Indigenous celebration, nearly 1,000 tickets have been distributed to Indigenous communities and performance groups. In addition, the Stampeders players will once again be displaying a specially designed logo on their helmets.

Designed by Jacob Alexis, Richard Running Rabbit and Siksika Health Services CEO Dr. Tyler White, the basic concept for the special logo emulates the Contemporary Plains Style Traditional Art.

Dalayna Blackhorse will perform the Canadian anthem in the Blackfoot language and a group of Indigenous Ambassadors will take part in the coin toss. Ethan Dodginghorse will be making in-stadium announcements in the Tsuut’ina language alongside regular public-address announcer Mike Mahoney.

The N.D.N Family will be performing at halftime as well as Indigenous drummers and dancers.

Post-game drone show

Weather permitting, fans who remain in their seats after the conclusion of the game will be treated to a drone show.

East Fan Zone

The East Fan Zone will be active from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and will include:

  • Indigenous drummers and dance performances
  • Face painting
  • DJ
  • Stampeders player autographs
  • And more

The Coors Light Chill Zone will also be operating two hours before kickoff with a $5 menu.

5. Who’s Where

6. Players to Watch

Stamps: DB Adrian Greene: After missing five games due to a lower leg injury sustained in Week 8, the Stampeders’ interceptions leader Adrian Greene is finally making his return to the lineup. In addition to Adams, Friday’s tilt also marks Greene’s first game against the team who drafted him in 2022. The Canadian cornerback enters the contest with 20 tackles, four interceptions, and one pick-six.

Lions: QB Nathan Rourke: Greene and the Stampeders secondary will be put to the test against Lions QB Nathan Rourke, who heads into Week 15’s matchup with 3,604 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. The Canadian pivot likes to air it deep, with two of his favourite targets high on the leaderboard for most receiving yards across the league. Sitting at first, Keon Hatcher leads the CFL with 1,170 yards and Justin McInnis, who led the league in 2024, is not far behind with 888 of his own.

7. Quotable

“It’s always fun to play your former team. They’re starting to hit their stride, good win for them last week, so we just got to bring our ‘A game’ as usual.” – QB Vernon Adams Jr. on playing the BC Lions for the first time since he was acquired by the Stampeders in the off-season.