Vernon Adams Jr. delivered a record-tying performance on Thursday night, throwing six touchdown passes and rushing for another as the Calgary Stampeders defeated the Toronto Argonauts 58-36 at McMahon Stadium.
Adams' historic night
Adams completed 27 of 35 passes for 432 yards, matching the Stampeders' single-game record for touchdown passes set by Jeff Garcia in 1995. He also ran for 42 yards and a touchdown on five carries. The quarterback's seven total touchdowns tied a CFL record for most in a game by one player.
"I just came out here and played my game," Adams said. "The offensive line gave me time, the receivers made plays, and we just executed."
Stampeders' offensive explosion
Calgary amassed 612 yards of total offense, their highest output since 2016. Wide receiver Luther Hakunavanhu caught three touchdown passes, while Reggie Begelton and Cole Tucker each added one. Running back Dedrick Mills also contributed a rushing touchdown.
The Stampeders scored 27 points in the second quarter alone, taking a 34-14 lead into halftime. They never trailed after the opening minutes.
Argos struggle defensively
Toronto's defense had no answer for Adams, allowing the Stampeders to convert 9 of 13 third-down attempts. Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice.
"We couldn't get off the field on third down, and that's the story of the game," Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said. "When you give a quarterback like Adams that many opportunities, he's going to make you pay."
Record-setting pace
The 58 points were the most scored by Calgary since a 60-1 win over Saskatchewan in 2014. Adams' performance also marked the second time in CFL history a quarterback has accounted for seven touchdowns in a game, joining Doug Flutie (1991) and Anthony Calvillo (2004).
"That was a special performance from our quarterback," Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said. "He's been playing at an MVP level all season."
Looking ahead
Calgary improves to 5-1 on the season, sitting atop the West Division. The Stampeders host the BC Lions next Friday. Toronto falls to 3-3 and will face the Montreal Alouettes at home next week.
