The Calgary Stampeders built up a 21-1 lead at halftime and then coasted to a 31-4 preseason win over the visiting Edmonton Elks, on Saturday night.
“We did play a lot of our starters and they played well,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said after the win.
“And, you know, Edmonton’s first game — so I kind of felt like our starters needed to do that. We did take a lot of penalties. Some of them were just dumb penalties that I consider kind of selfish penalties. You know, over-aggression. So, we need to clean that up.”
Stampeders’ quarterback Phillip Walker Junior threw for 138 yards and one touchdown as the hosts jumped out to a 15-1 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Logan Bonner scored two touchdowns on the ground, while receiver Daylen Baldwin had one touchdown reception.
Veteran kicker Rene Paredes went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts, including one from 52 yards.
Vincent Blanchard had a 40-yard field goal for the Elks.
“You know I think maybe it was a little big for a couple guys at the start,” Elks head coach Mark Kilam said after the loss.
“I think it will be a wakeup call for the level of preparation, the level of physicality that we need to have. But there was a little bit of life late in that game. There will definitely be some positives to build on, but lots of teach tape from that one.”
The CFL regular season kicks off June 5.