Currently in last place in the CFL West, the Calgary Stampeders are getting into must-win territory and are going to have to find a way to get on some kind of roll. The quest starts Saturday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but the Stamps’ll have to do it without their starting quarterback. Vernon Adams Jr. was injured on Aug. 13 against the B.C. Lions and hasn’t recovered enough to start against the Ticats. That means Josh Love will get the call. The 29-year-old is looking forward to making his first-ever CFL start. He says he learned a lot from that loss to the Lions and will be more prepared this week. “Obviously, as a backup, you know the deal—not getting many reps in practice for the week,” Love said. “So, for me to get reps and get those under my belt, it feels great. “Let the game come to me and trust the players around me and trust the coaches and just go out there and do my job.” Head coach Dave Dickenson is confident the second-year Stampeder will be ready for his assignment. “Just play football,” Dickenson said. “It’s not like he’s a young guy—he’s been around and played a lot of football. He’s been with us a couple of years. “Make smart decisions but don’t be afraid to try and make a play as well. Don’t play conservative—just see what you see and let it rip.” Love isn’t the only change the Stamps will make against Hamilton. Kicker René Paredes will make his season debut after missing the first 10 games with a groin injury. “It’s tough to watch other guys play and not help out the team, but like I said, I’m excited,” Paredes said. “It feels like Year 1, and I’m pretty happy to be back.” The Stamps are 1-4 this season at home. Receiver Damien Alford, who is making his first start of the season, knows they have to start winning on home turf. “We’ve just got to come out there and play our style of football,” Alford said. “That’s really the most important thing—we can’t come out here and play lackadaisical. We’ve just got to come out and make plays. “The defence is going to fly around, the offence is going to fly around and special teams as well. The coach has been emphasizing that all week, and we’ve just got to come out there and put one on for the fans.” Kickoff for Saturday’s game is a little after 1 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.
