Former Oregon Ducks quarterback has historic performance only achieved a handful of times in setting franchise record
QB Vernon Adams Jr. hasn’t had the easiest career in football, but he’s hitting his stride this year with the Calgary Stampeders.
Canada Day weekend is a big one for the CFL, and it’s especially big for the city of Calgary.
The Calgary Stampede is a massive rodeo festival that kicks off with the Stampede Bowl with the aptly named Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. It’s a massive celebration for the enitre province of Alberta, and the Stampede Bowl provided a lot of entertainment.
Vernon Adams Jr. has incredible performance
Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is the quarterback for the Stampeders, and he’s had an up-and-down career in the CFL. He started out his career in 2016 with the Montreal Alouettes, bouncing around four franchises until he was finally entrusted as the guy in 2025 with the Stampeders.
Throughout his career, Adams had flashes of really good play, but was never fully given the keys, always being one poor performance from being replaced. That happened again with the BC Lions, who signed Nathan Rourke after his stint in the NFL in August of 2024. They went with Rourke for the next eight games, before pivoting to Adams in the season finale and the West Semi-Final.
That all leads to him being the unquestioned guy for the Stampeders. This season, Adams started out 1-2 before the Stampede Bowl, but did so with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions. His performance was amplified on Thursday night, and he set a franchise record in the process during a 58-36 win over the Toronto Argonauts.
Adams became the first quarterback in Calgary history to score seven total touchdowns (6 passing, 1 receiving) and tied a franchise record with six touchdown passes. He joins Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Pete Liske, and current Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson.
Per the CFL stats and information team, Adams is just the fifth player (sixth performance) in league history to score seven touchdowns in a game.
- Joe Zuger (8)
- Tobin Rote (7)
- Tobin Rote (7)
- Rickey Foggie (7)
- Jim Van Pelt (7)
He isn’t just a really good quarterback, but Adams is also must-watch television. He is a true playmaker across the board, creating touchdowns out of thin air.
Adams now has 13 total touchdowns and zero interceptions so far this season, and a newly healthy Stampeders team is 2-2 with real momentum thanks to his excellent play this season.
