Stampeders rout Elks as Edmonton suffers historic home defeat

The Calgary Stampeders were more than happy to keep kicking their rivals while they are down.

Tommy Stevens scored four short-yardage touchdowns as the Stampeders helped the Edmonton Elks equal an unfortunate record for consecutive home losses with a 56-28 drubbing in the Labour Day rematch on Saturday.

Calgary starting quarterback Jake Maier was more than happy to allow his backup Stevens to step in and finish the drives.

"That was my role last year and it is a war in there," he said. "I don't think people quite understand what that environment is like in the trenches there. Him being six-five and 250 pounds, that is a load man and he is tough to stop. It is kind of will on will. Tommy, it couldn't happen to a better guy, he is one of the best teammates I have ever had.

The Stampeders (8-4) have won three of their last four games and have scored more points in Commonwealth Stadium (105) in two games this season than the Elks have in six (101).

"Any time there was adversity, we responded well," said Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson. "We responded with a score or moved the ball for a first down or a pick six. We made some plays, and it was across the board."

Edmonton (3-10) tied a CFL record for most consecutive losses at home at 14, having not won at Commonwealth Stadium since Oct. 12, 2019. The home stretch of 14 losses ties the record for futility previously set by Ottawa in 1988.

"I'm embarrassed for our organization, I'm embarrassed for our coaching staff, I'm embarrassed for our players," said Elks head coach Chris Jones. "At halftime, we still had an opportunity, and then we did not give ourselves an opportunity to do anything in the second half."

WATCH | Tommy Stevens leads Calgary's dominant win over Edmonton:

Edmonton got off to a bad start on its first possession as Calgary's Trumaine Washington stepped in front of a pass from Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius and went 45 yards into the end zone just three minutes into the game.

The Elks caught a break midway through the opening quarter, however, as Stampeder Peyton Logan fumbled on a punt return and the ball was recovered by Edmonton's Peter Adjey on the Calgary 22-yard-line. That led to a Cornelius pass to Tanner Green who powered his way across the goal line for a 17-yard TD.

Calgary marched back down the field and regained the lead on a one-yard TD plunge by Stevens.

Edmonton started the second quarter with a 24-yard Sergio Castillo field goal to make it 21-10.

The Stamps responded with a 15-yard field goal by Rene Paredes.