The Edmonton Elks will embark on their annual journey, travelling south to meet their Provincial rivals in the traditional Labour Day Classic vs. the Calgary Stampeders. Both football clubs have been playing some great football during the last 5 weeks. This makes the Labour Day Classic game greater, adding further implications as we enter the unofficial 2nd half of the CFL season.
Game Details
Date: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Location: McMahon Stadium / Calgary, Alberta
Kickoff time: 6:00 PM EST
Channel: TSN / CBS Sports Network
Stream: CFL +
Weather forecast at kickoff: 28 °C. It will feel like 30 °C. It will be 14 °C and will feel like 13 °C at night. There will be a low risk of thunderstorms in the early evening, then partly cloudy overnight.
Wind gust: 20 kilometres per hour in a north-west direction.
Percentage of precipitation: 40%
Odds
Spread: Calgary Stampeders (-7.5) – 110 / Edmonton Elks (+7.5) – 110
Moneyline: Calgary Stampeders – 375 / Edmonton Elks + 290
Over / Under: Over 52.5 (-105) / Under 52.5 (-115)
Via FanDuel Sportsbook
Edmonton Elks Depth Chart
Calgary Stampeders Depth Chart
Edmonton Elks Injury Report
Edmonton does suffer a big blow entering the Labour Day Classic with the following list of players being listed as out for this game: LB Nick Anderson (Abdominal), DL Robbie Smith (Ankle), and WR Steven Dunbar (Knee). Unfortunately, all are currently on the 6-game injured list.
Calgary Stampeders Injury Report
Calgary also falls victim to the injury bug with the following list of players listed as out in this game: DB Adrian Greene (Lower leg), DB Anton Haie (Shoulder), LB Justin Herdman-Reed (Hamstring), DL Jason Janvier-Messier (Shoulder), WR Malik Henry (Knee) and DB Ben Labrosse (Hamstring).
Players to watch: Edmonton Elks
QB – Cody Fajardo
Cody Fajardo has been the emotional spark that Edmonton needed when they gave the reins to Cody when the club was struggling in their first 8 games of the season. He has experience in moments like this, along with success in the playoffs. With 1,542 passing yards, 7 touchdown passes, and 3 interceptions, Cody Fajardo, more importantly, has been smart with the football. He may sometimes be conservative with the football. However, he will not put his team in dangerous situations that could be costly.
RB – Justin Rankin
Justin Rankin has been an ironman for the Elks this season. His unselfish approach to the game is a big asset and a good problem to have, given his willingness to carry his team on his back. Calgary has one of the best running attacks in the CFL. Look for Justin Rankin to play a big role in both rushing yards and receiving yards.
LB – Nyles Morgan
The product of the University of Notre Dame has the luxury today in watching his alma mater, Notre Dame, take on the University of Miami Hurricanes in another historical battle. It might not be as infamous as the Catholics vs. Convicts back in 1988, but Nyles Morgan has had the experience in the Battle of Alberta so far in his CFL career. Expect Nyles Morgan to have a solid showing vs. Calgary.
DL – Noah Taylor
He has displayed his raw talent on the defense for Edmonton. He might not have the flashy statistics of other great players in the CFL, for that matter. What Noah Taylor does for the Elks is the attention to detail. He has a great vision in seeing the play unfold, and he goes for the tackle, redirects a runner, or stacks a gap to halt the running game. He has an explosiveness that is something to see. There are a few running backs in the CFL who feel they have run into a wall. Expect Noah Taylor to unload some hard hits on Calgary.
Players to watch: Calgary Stampeders
QB – Vernon Adams Jr.
Any player or fan in this great league knows the skill set of Vernon Adams Jr. His dual-threat abilities cause a lot of problems for opposing defences, as he has the football IQ in clock management. The Edmonton defence has to contain him as much as possible. It is easier said than done. The Edmonton secondary will have its hands full with Vernon Adams Jr if he sees an abundance of open receivers. He has a cannon of an arm, and can thread the ball it tight spaces.
RB – Dedrick Mills
This has all the makings of a great running back duo with Dedrick Mills vs. Justin Rankin. Dedrick Mills is also a big asset to the Calgary offence. He is a triple-back that can run, block, and catch. He is also a running back who thrives on chewing up the clock and wearing down a defense. The Edmonton front seven will have to keep Derick Mills in check as much as possible.
LB – Jacob Roberts
Jacob Roberts has had a breakout season as a first-time starter in Cow Town. He currently sits with 56 tackles, 5 special teams tackles, and 1 sack. He has the all-around talent on the Calgary defence in dropping back into coverage. He might not be on the high end in the sack department, and that it fine. However, Jacob Roberts is capable of changing the momentum of a game.
DL – Jaylon Hutchings
Another player who worked his way to the starting lineup on the Calgary defence. The former Texas Tech alumnus is experiencing a great year heading into Labour Day with 26 tackles and 6 sacks. He’s a big boy to stop. At 6’-0” and 304lbs, he’s a big body to maneuver in your favour. The Edmonton offensive line will need to be on the ball with Jaylon Hutchings’ talent.
Keys to an Edmonton Victory:
Play with the momentum.
It’s been fun watching Edmonton play in the last 5 weeks. They are playing with confidence and are resilient. When you’re losing games every week, it’s the worst feeling, not knowing when your next victory will come to fruition. The mindset has been completely different now. The locker room has the confidence that they are not thinking I hope we win. We know we can win. It really is a big difference.
Keep the pace going.
Under no circumstances should you be discouraged during the game if you are falling behind on the scoreboard. Stay within distance as much as possible. Keep plugging away.
Stay aggressive running the ball.
Edmonton has been great with Justin Rankin and Javon Leake pounding hard-earned yards. Keep the Calgary defence on their heels. Do not move away from the running game. If you are going to have success against Calgary, you need a balanced offence.
Special teams need to continue a strong showing.
Some of the recent success for Edmonton was attributed to the special teams department. They have been executing their kickoff and punt coverage to their advantage by pinning their opponents deep in their territory to begin an offensive series. To counter that, they have started with a great field position. Anytime you can help your defence and offence, it will put you in a good spot for a victory.
Prediction
It has been a long time coming when we can say Edmonton and Calgary are playing a meaningful game at Labour Day. Edmonton has experienced a turnaround with its overall performance this season in the last 6 games. Calgary has taken down some of the best in the CFL this season and has been the more consistent team.
Final score:
Edmonton Elks: 34
Calgary Stampeders: 32
Edmonton has been riding a big wave now and is playing with a lot of confidence. If they are going to make a legitimate push for the playoffs, they need to win at least some games within their division. Because being 0-4 so far is simply not going to cut it. You have to start somewhere. And that somewhere is on Labour Day.
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