3 keys to victory for Edmonton, Calgary on OK Tire Labour Day Weekend

CALGARY — The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders renew hostilities at McMahon Stadium to close out OK Tire Labour Day Weekend.

Edmonton leads the West Division with an 8-3 record and is coming off a bye week.

Calgary outlasted Hamilton in Week 13 to improve to 5-6.

It’s the first meeting between the rivals this season.

Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Monday’s 6:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN in Canada, on CBSSN in the U.S., and on CFL+ internationally.

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EDMONTON ELKS

1. CODY FAJARDO CHASING CAREER TD MARK

When Cody Fajardo throws his next touchdown, it will be his career season-high 19th. There’s a good chance it will be to receiver Austin Mack, who’s caught seven on the year and poses a serious threat to the Stamps secondary, which is allowing 318.4 yards per game.

2. SOME LOVE FOR THE SPECIAL TEAMS

Great teams execute in all three phases, and with rivalry games often tightly contested, the Elks special teams have the chance to make a difference. Kicker Vincent Blanchard is 32-for-34 on field goal attempts, good for 94.1 per cent, and punter Jake Julien is averaging 49.8 yards per punt, third-best in the league through 13 weeks.

3. KEEP IT CLEAN

The Elks gave away zero free yards via penalties in their last win against Winnipeg. In a game that’s going to be high on emotion, staying disciplined has to be a conscious effort.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

1. VERNON ADAMS JR. BACK UNDER CENTRE

The return of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from injury gives the Calgary offence an instant boost. Pitted against an Elks defence that’s allowing 290.1 passing yards per game and leads the league with 17 interceptions, he’ll have to settle back in quickly.

2. DEDRICK MILLS MAKING THINGS HAPPEN

Running back Dedrick Mills needs to be the dominant force his team knows he can be. He’ll be tested, though, as he meets an Elks front that ranked third in rushing yards allowed per game coming into the week.

3. LINEBACKERS

The Stamps defence in the middle of the field, which includes linebackers Marquel Lee and Kyle Wilson, should prove important against an Elks offence that can run or pass on any given play. The pair of Lee and Wilson have combined for 99 defensive tackles, two sacks and an interception.

NEED TO KNOW:

• Fajardo is 5-6-1 against Calgary. He’s 1-3 in Labour Day Classics.

• Adams Jr. is a career 8-2 against Edmonton. He started his first LDC last year and won.

• Calgary leads the league in points per game (36.9) and has a +56 point differential.

• Edmonton has allowed the fewest points (25.4 per game).

• Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN in Canada, on CBSSN in the U.S., and on CFL+ internationally.