Calgary has been on the wrong end of close games all season. Not anymore. The Stampeders held off Hamilton behind a game-winning touchdown run from Dedrick Mills and a gutsy first career CFL win from backup quarterback Josh Love, and everyone in the building knew exactly how much this one meant.
Head coach Dave Dickenson didn't dress it up. This was a must-win, and his team knew it.
"It's good. I think it was a game we had to have. Honestly, we had to have it, especially the way it was going down. If we lose another heartbreaker like that, I think you can only take so many wounds and so many times where you get stabbed in the back there," Dickenson said.
Josh Love Steps In and Delivers
With Vernon Adams Jr. sidelined, Love got the start and made the most of it, throwing his first CFL touchdown pass and directing the offense on a night where things didn't come easy early.
"It feels really good. It's a great feeling, great feeling for the guys in the room. You know, everybody just works so hard, everybody in the building, and to go out like that and, you know, finish a job like that feels really good," Love said.
Love credited the quarterback room for getting him ready for the moment. "I gave so much credit to the rest of the quarterbacks in the room and J-Jack and the rest of offensive staff. They do such a good job just preparing us... credit to Vernon and Ben. Those guys are awesome," he said.
Dickenson was quick to praise his backup's poise under pressure. "He's been here. I think he's a good player. I think we've worked hard to get him up to speed and be comfortable and know what he can do and can't do. And he's a leader. He showed toughness. He got hit a lot and was sore, but to be able to do it — what we call fast football — getting in there and trying to win the game, a big throw on 3rd down, good decision-making," Dickenson said.
Mills Delivers the Dagger
Mills, who took a big hit last week and didn't finish the game, ran through Hamilton's defense for the winning score and made it clear he saw it coming.
"I said, I'm telling him, I feel it, bro. I feel it. Something coming. I don't care when it come, but it's coming... The O-line opened up the hole and I just found a way to get through it. And then the receivers were blocking down the field and I had to make one guy miss. And that's what I did. Just get in the end zone, man. And then it's what they pay me for," Mills said.
Dickenson broke down the play simply. "It was just a nice execution by the entire group. I mean, obviously, call is good because it works... Mills, when he got through, I was kind of thinking go down. They didn't have any timeouts, but it's hard. I'm happy for him because he took a big hit last week and didn't finish the game, but watch the way he ran and produced today. Just an excellent effort by Mills."
Defense Kept Giving the Offense Chances
Linebacker Clarence Hicks and his unit put together a strong second-half performance, including back-to-back tackles for loss that helped flip field position all night.
"When the defense clicking, the offense eventually gonna click as well and all 3 phases gonna click. So no glass. We knew the offense was gonna get to clicking... new quarterback, different cadence, he gotta get the timing of the receivers, just a lot of things he had to do. So we knew like he'll get in his rhythm later on in the game," Hicks said.
Hicks also detailed the game plan against Hamilton's mobile quarterback: "One thing about him I noticed, if you don't see that first read, he looking to step up and take off with his legs. 'Cause he's very mobile. So I think we did a good job on him." He didn't hide the stakes either. "5-6 and 4-7, that's a big difference. We know we are right there with other teams fighting for that last spot."
Paredes Returns and Delivers in the Clutch
Kicker Rene Paredes made his season debut count, going 5-of-6 on field goals including the game-winner, while also handling kickoff duties that Dickenson raved about.
"Yeah, I feel great. I feel great to be back out there with the guys... 5 for 6 is pretty good my first game back. Some of those balls I didn't hit clean, but they went in," Paredes said.
Dickenson pointed to the field position gains as a difference-maker. "We're averaging 9 yards less field position this year to start the year than we did last year... but Renee stepped up, planted them where he was supposed to. He's super accurate. We know that."
Paredes also brushed off any nerves on the walk-off attempt. "Yeah, I always feel good I'm gonna knock them in. And that's my job," he said.
Looking Ahead to Edmonton
With a back-to-back against Edmonton looming, Calgary knows the job isn't finished. Hicks made that clear before he'd even left the stadium. "Me? I'm never satisfied, so this really — I'm already really over it. I'm ready to get to the next game. I know they're on a bye week. I know they're watching, and we got to be ready to play."
Paredes framed it as the start of a real push. "We just came off a bye week. We know what we have to do — win some games. You know, we got Edmonton back to back, so this is a good start for the run we want to make."
Dickenson summed up the mindset going forward: "Kind of been on a 2-game loser, 2-game winner. If that means we stay with that pattern, we'll win Labor Day and then we'll break it going up there. But we're just gonna try to get better." Calgary now turns to a stretch that could decide whether this win was a turning point or just one good night. Follow full coverage on the Calgary Stampeders team page and check the CFL standings as the West race tightens.
Watch the Full Videos
Calgary Stampeders: Dave Dickenson | Post-Game | 29.08.26
Calgary Stampeders: Rene Paredes | Post-Game | 29.08.26
Calgary Stampeders: Clarence Hicks | Post-Game | 29.08.26
Calgary Stampeders: Dedrick Mills | Post-Game | 29.08.26
Calgary Stampeders: Josh Love | Post-Game | 29.08.26