Vernon Adams Jr. is coming off a monster game and now faces a team that struggles to pressure the quarterback.
Adams looks to help the BC Lions increase their winning streak to six games when they visit the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday night.
Adams passed for a season-high 451 yards last week when the Lions (5-1) recorded a 35-20 victory over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Adams leads the CFL with 2,203 yards and 12 touchdowns and has thrown just three interceptions in 211 attempts.
BC wideout Justin McInnis accumulated a career-best 243 receiving yards on 14 receptions against the Roughriders. He paces the CFL with 45 receptions for 725 yards and is tied for the league lead with five scoring catches.
“It was a super fun, exciting and competitive game — 243, that’s the most I’ve ever had in my life,” McInnis said of his yardage output.
Adams was highly impressed by the performance.
“He’s got such strong hands. I’m throwing the ball a little bit behind him and he’s making great catches with (defensive backs) all over him,” Adams said. “He’s a huge part of this team, this offense. A great dude as well off the field. I’m so happy for him and all of his success.”
Slowing down the BC passing attack will be a difficult task for the Stampeders (2-3), who have a league-low four sacks.
“Instead of getting close, we’ve got to get there,” Calgary defensive end James Vaughters said of the sack drought.
Vaughters and fellow defensive linemen Mike Rose and Julian Howsare all have yet to record a sack this campaign.
Calgary also ranks seventh in passing defense at 306.4 yards per game, meaning a meek pass rush is going to make it tough to lasso the mobile Adams.
“More hits, more sacks, more big plays, pressuring the quarterback,” Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson said of what the defense needs. “I was talking to Mike Rose, and you can’t just say you’re going to try harder because the guys are giving great effort. Just have to play the system, play with confidence though, have to play with edge and, hopefully, they’ll come.”
Calgary is looking to snap a two-game losing skid. The Stampeders lost 41-37 to the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week despite getting two interceptions from cornerback Tre Roberson (three picks overall).
Calgary defensive back Demerio Houston, an All-Star with Winnipeg last season, is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Howsare (quadriceps) also is questionable.
BC is close to getting both wideout Keon Hatcher and defensive back T.J. Lee back from Achilles injuries sustained in the 2023 postseason. Both players practiced in full and are listed as questionable with Lee saying he feels “amazing.”
“I’m grateful to be back with the boys,” Lee said. “… There’s nothing I can’t do.”
In Week 2, BC registered a 26-17 home win over the Stampeders. Adams passed for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Calgary’s Jake Maier threw for 339 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
–Field Level Media
