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Josh Love will make his first CFL start for the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday after quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was ruled out with a head injury. The Stampeders, sitting at 4-6, host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-7) at McMahon Stadium in a matchup that carries playoff implications for both sides.
Love Steps In After Adams Injury
Adams suffered the head injury during Calgary’s 30-26 home loss to the B.C. Lions on August 13. Love entered the game in relief and completed six of ten passes for 58 yards, though he also threw an interception.
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Despite the difficult circumstances of his debut, Love expressed confidence heading into his first start. “It felt good to get in there and get reps and obviously wish we had a different outcome, but I learned from it and put that to bed,” he said. “We had a good week of practice and guys are flying around. I think we have a really good plan and we’ve just got to go out there and execute.”
The 29-year-old San Jose State product has taken a winding path to this opportunity. He previously played for the Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers in the USFL before joining the Memphis Showboats of the UFL in 2024. He then finished the 2025 season with Calgary. Love noted that nearly two years have passed since his last starting assignment. “I definitely have a good QB room and great staff that helped me stay ready,” he said.
Dickenson Backs Love to End Losing Streak
Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson expressed full confidence in Love ahead of the game. Calgary enters Saturday having lost two straight, though they defeated Hamilton 44-20 in the earlier meeting on August 1.
“He’s working hard and everybody wants an opportunity,” Dickenson said. “Sometimes, unfortunately, it happens, because another man gets hurt, but he’s been putting the work in. We need him. We need our offence to play well.”
Receiver Damien Alford also earns his first start of the season on Saturday. Alford re-signed with Calgary on July 21 following a stint with the New Orleans Saints in the NFL and has caught three passes for 55 yards across four games in limited action. He believes the connection with Love is already established. “The chemistry with Josh started the moment he got here last year,” Alford said. “I know where he’s going to put the ball. I know he trusts me and I trust him.”
Paredes Returns to Calgary’s Lineup
Veteran kicker Rene Paredes makes his return to the active roster after a groin injury sidelined him since the first day of training camp. Paredes described the experience of watching from the sidelines as difficult but said he is excited to contribute again.
“It’s tough to watch other guys play and not help out the team,” he said. “But I’m excited. Feels like Year 1 right now. I’m pretty happy to be back.”
Dickenson praised rookie kicker Jude McAtamney, who filled in during Paredes’ absence, but made clear the veteran had earned his spot back. “I think Jude’s had a heck of a year. I think he’s kicking as well as anyone in the league,” Dickenson said. “But you still have one of the greatest to do it of all time and a guy that now is healthy. He’s been doing it for his whole career, so it’s the right time.” Dickenson added that he expects McAtamney to enjoy a long CFL career.
Tiger-Cats Also Searching for Momentum
Hamilton arrives in Calgary facing similar pressure. With starter Bo Levi Mitchell still sidelined by a long-term ankle injury, Canadian quarterback Tre Ford continues to lead the offence. Ford completed 19 of 32 passes for 356 yards in a 39-20 road loss to the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday.
Ford said he focuses on execution rather than standings. “When I’m out there, I’m not thinking about what our record is,” he said. “I’m thinking about executing the play at the highest level that I can. Next play mentality for us.”
Tiger-Cats head coach Scott Milanovich acknowledged the urgency of the situation while stopping short of calling it a must-win game. “I’m no mathematician, but I don’t think we’re at that point just yet, but certainly there’s urgency,” he said. “Every win matters at this point. We’d rather get them earlier than later.” Milanovich also suggested both teams are performing better than their records reflect, predicting a competitive contest at McMahon Stadium.
