Calgary Stampeders storm back to down Edmonton Elks in Labour ...

It looked like they were done and dusted.

Maybe for good.

The Calgary Stampeders (4-8) were trailing by 15 points in the fourth quarter of the Labour Day Classic on Monday at McMahon Stadium. The Edmonton Elks (2-10) were cruising and a spot in the playoffs was looking ever more unlikely for a Stamps team that has found ways to lose too many close games this season.

But then, life.

A resurrection.

Like a phoenix, the Stampeders rose from the ashes and breathed a little life into their season by securing a 35-31 win.

Did they do it the hard way? The sure did.

But with quarterback Jake Maier leading the way, the Stamps stormed downfield for three fourth-quarter touchdowns. Maier completed 27-of-34 passes for 315 yards. There was an interception in there, too, but the way he managed to fight through persistent pressure from the Elks’ defensive line and push his team to victory was commendable

And that goes for the rest of the team, too. The Stamps’ defence struggled to contain Elks QB Tre Ford for much of the game, but came up with desperately needed stops in the fourth quarter to give their team a chance.

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier scores a touchdown while being chased by Edmonton Elks defensive back Marloshawn Franklin Jr. during the Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Postmedia

It was a gruelling game. Harder than some might have liked.

But the Stamps fought through. They got the job done.

And in doing so, they kept their playoff hopes alive.

“Mentally, I’m exhausted and our guys are physically exhausted because they gave so much,” said Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “Are we the greatest team? Maybe not, but we keep fighting. The guys believe, they put it all out there. We needed it, we did.

“Not sure what happens the rest of the year but proud of the guys for continually putting it out there and believing with effort sometimes we can overcome mistakes.”

The Stamps are not a perfect team. It’s going to be work that gets them wherever they wind up this season.

But Monday’s win means there’s still hope.

With the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5) beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, a loss in the Labour Day Classic would have made it extremely tough for the Stamps to rally and capture the West Division’s third and final playoff spot. Sure, a crossover into the East Division’s playoffs would still have been possible, but nobody wants that.

And after a season where the Stamps have lost so many close games, it was significant that they were able to get over the hump against the Elks. The odds were stacked against them and the stakes couldn’t have been higher, but the Stamps found a way.

“I said yesterday before the game, I wanted to play well today,” Maier said. “I wanted us to play well, stay out of our own way, play good football. In the first quarter we did, in the second quarter we didn’t. I think that’s where the frustration stems from sometimes. Let’s just stay out of our own way and stay in a rhythm.

“We came out in the second half and played as good a second half as we have all year, on both sides of the ball. I’m super proud of it.”

Edmonton Elks Kevin Brown against Calgary Stampeders Branden Dozier during the first half of the Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium on Monday, September 4, 2023. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia

QUICK HITS

Ford completed 14-of-23 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, but also ran the ball 11 times for 135 yards. He is very fun to watch … Official attendance at McMahon Stadium was 26,741. That’s less than normal for a Labour Day Classic, but probably a number many are OK with given that it was smoky, rained for most of the day and the game started at 5 p.m. It usually starts earlier in the afternoon … The Stampeders had some bad injury luck on Monday. Titus Wall was injured on their first defensive play of the game. Michael Griffin filled in for him at the SAM position, but Griffin was forced out of the game, too. That meant Branden Dozier played SAM while Nick Statz was forced into duty at safety. Dickenson said after the game that both Griffin and Wall may be out for the season … Defensive lineman Terrell McClain was also injured in the second half .… Linebacker Mike Rose got a pyramiding penalty in the first half, which is just not something you see called all that often … The Stamps struggled to contain Ford throughout the game, but defensive back Kobe Williams does deserve credit for a nice bit of work that saw him sneak around the Elks’ o-line and deliver a nice sack. He forced a fumble, too, although the Elks recovered it … The World’s Fastest Cow won his race. That’s become a recurring story this season … Marken Michel continues to get better every game. That’s it … Fellow receiver Reggie Begelton came up with a diving catch in the fourth quarter that was as big as any he’s had in his impressive career. Hopefully, he gets his due.

Calgary Stampeders running back Ka’Deem Carey signs a hat for a fan before the Labour Day Classic against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Photo by Azin Ghaffari /Postmedia