Stampeders beat Lions to stay alive, await playoff fate
The Calgary Stampeders kept their CFL playoff hopes alive with a 32-13 win over the B.C. Lions but must now wait for help.
CALGARY — Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 324 yards and a touchdown as the Calgary Stampeders beat the visiting B.C. Lions 32-13 on Saturday to keep their CFL playoff hopes alive.
Quincy Vaughn scored two short-yardage touchdowns and Ajou Ajou caught a touchdown pass for Calgary, which improved to 9-9.
"It's a little awkward," said Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. "We could have helped ourselves out earlier in the year. You can't go back on it. It is what it is. We're just going to sit back and see what happens."
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The Stampeders must now wait for the Lions (10-7) to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-9) next Friday to vault Calgary into the postseason.
If B.C. wins, Calgary would finish third or fourth in the West Division. If Winnipeg wins, the Blue Bombers would finish ahead of Calgary due to a 2-1 season-series advantage, eliminating the Stampeders.
"We know we're going to play, I believe, B.C. or Toronto, so we know it," said Calgary head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson. "We'll keep working and lock in those two opponents. If we get our opportunity, let's take advantage of it."
Kicker Rene Paredes, who intends to retire after 15 seasons with Calgary, made four field goals. "I don't think I've seen it in 15 years," Paredes said of the uncertain wait. "We took care of our job. We got to nine and nine and all we can do is just wait until next week."
The Lions, having already clinched second place, rested starters in the second half. Quarterback Nathan Rourke played only the first half, going 8-for-11 for 149 yards and a touchdown pass to Justin McInnis.
Sean Whyte kicked two field goals for B.C., with his 26-yarder in the second quarter marking his 1,000th career point as a Lion.
The game was tied 13-13 at halftime before Calgary took control. Adams found Ajou for a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 25-13, and Vaughn added his second score late.
The Edmonton Elks (13-4) secured first in the West on Friday. The defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-8) can finish no worse than fourth after a win Saturday.
Up next: The Lions host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday to conclude the regular season.
With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Lethbridge News Now