Dedrick Mills’ 49-Yard TD Lifts Calgary Stampeders to 28-23 Win Over Hamilton
Calgary Stampeders rally as Dedrick Mills’ 49-yard TD lifts Calgary to a 28-23 win over Hamilton; Josh Love starts and Rene Paredes boots five field goals.
The Calgary Stampeders completed a dramatic comeback Saturday at McMahon Stadium when Dedrick Mills sprinted 49 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 29 seconds left. Calgary trailed late but used the long run and a final interception to secure a 28-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The win improved the Stampeders’ record to 5-6 and underscored a balanced effort from Calgary’s offense and special teams.
Mills’ late 49-yard sprint decides the game
Mills broke free on the decisive play, weaving past the defense to reach the end zone and give Calgary the lead in the closing minute. The Stampeders opted for a two-point attempt that was unsuccessful, but the touchdown margin held as Hamilton could not convert on the final possession. Linebacker Kyle Wilson sealed the victory by intercepting a pass from Hamilton backup Jake Dolegala on the game’s last snap.
Josh Love steps in for injured Vernon Adams Jr.
With Vernon Adams Jr. sidelined by a head injury, Josh Love made his first CFL start and delivered a steady performance at quarterback. Love completed 24 of 35 passes for 263 yards and threw his first career CFL touchdown, demonstrating poise in a difficult spot. His connection with receiver Ajou Ajou produced Calgary’s second-quarter touchdown and helped sustain multiple scoring drives.
Rene Paredes’ accuracy keeps Calgary within striking distance
Veteran kicker Rene Paredes supplied a consistent scoring presence, converting five field goals over the course of the game. His leg accounted for the bulk of Calgary’s early points and allowed the Stampeders to stay within range as the game swung back and forth. Paredes also had a longer attempt that missed wide, but his overall kicking performance was a key factor in the comeback.
Tre Ford provides dual-threat production for Hamilton
Tre Ford paced the Tiger-Cats’ offense, completing 15 of 24 passes for 212 yards and throwing two touchdown passes to Myron Mitchell and Kenny Lawler. Ford also added a significant rushing element, gaining 80 yards on six carries and repeatedly moving the chains on designed runs and scrambles. Those contributions kept Hamilton in front at several junctures and highlighted Ford’s role as the club’s primary playmaker.
Turnovers swung momentum in the second half
A sequence late in the second quarter and into the third altered momentum when Calgary’s Dejon Brissett converted a long catch into a big gain that set up Love’s touchdown to Ajou. Hamilton responded with a turnover bite when Calgary’s pass deflected off linemen and Charbel Dabire intercepted at the 14-yard line, leading immediately to Kenny Lawler’s score. Those turnovers and the subsequent scoring exchanges created a tight margin that set the stage for Mills’ decisive run.
Special teams and distribution of scorers stand out
Calgary’s scoring diversity was notable, with Ajou becoming the 13th different player on the roster to reach the end zone this season for the Stampeders. That breadth of contributors has helped Calgary lead the league in the number of distinct touchdown scorers, reflecting depth on offense. Special teams performances — both Paredes’ field goals and the late-game interception by Wilson — ultimately defined the result.
Both teams will leave McMahon Stadium with clear takeaways: Calgary earned a comeback victory and an important boost in the standings, while Hamilton was reminded of the cost of turnovers and missed opportunities late. The Stampeders improved to 5-6 with the win, and the Tiger-Cats fell to 4-8 as they search for answers after consecutive defeats.
