Stampeders QB Vernon Adams injured in loss to Lions

CALGARY — The B.C. Lions downed the Calgary Stampeders 30-26 for their third straight victory Thursday.

Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke ran in a touchdown and threw two more to Keon Hatcher Sr., while Zander Horvath rushed for his team-leading eighth TD.

Erik Brooks had a touchdown catch and Quincy Vaughn rushed for his eighth major this season for Calgary (4-6). Damien Alford caught a two-point convert.

Jude McAtamney kicked field goals from 55, 13, 29 and 44 yards, but missed a fourth-quarter try from 39 yards out in front of an announced 17,076 at McMahon Stadium.

Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was injured early in the fourth quarter when his head was slammed into the turf on a six-yard carry. Adams walked off the field to the medical tent, but didn't return.

It got worse for the Stampeders as CFL leading rusher Dedrick Mills also headed to the dressing room in the fourth quarter.

Josh Love drew in for Adams to complete 6 of 10 pass attempts for 58 yards. Adams went 13 of 23 for 148 yards and a TD before he left the game.

Rourke was 15 of 22 passing for 301 yards and two touchdowns in his second game since missing almost three straight with an injury to his non-throwing arm.

McAtamney's 44-yard field goal just before halftime gave Calgary an 18-13 lead. The Lions took 55 yards in penalties to the Stampeders' none in the first half.

But Horvath's 41-yard rumble on B.C.'s first drive of the third quarter put the Lions deep in Calgary territory. Rourke finished the drive with a 10-yard dash to the end zone to give the Lions a two-point lead, which carried into the fourth.

Whyte padded the advantage with his 45-yard boot to start the quarter, but Calgary's Anthony Johnson intercepted Rourke after Adams and Mills left the game.

The Lions lost a challenge for roughing the passer and an additional B.C. illegal block penalty gave Love the ball on the 10-yard line.

B.C. was called for pass interference on the next play before Vaughn scored a short-yardage touchdown. Love threw a two-point convert pass to Damien Alford as Calgary regained the lead 26-23 with three minutes to play.

Kelon Thomas recovered Stanley Berryhill's fumble on the subsequent punt and Calgary had the ball on B.C.'s 30-yard line, but McAtamney missed that 39-yard attempt.