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Stamps switch it up at QB with eyes on avenging loss to Bethel-Thompson, Elks

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EDMONTON – As the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders prep for Saturday’s Labour Day Classic rematch, the fortunes of their veteran quarterbacks are trending in opposite directions.

Elks’ pivot McLeod Bethel-Thompson has re-established himself as the No. 1 choice in Edmonton. Meanwhile, the Stampeders have decided to demote Jake Maier.

Bethel-Thompson was in vintage form in the Elks’ 35-20 Labour Day win over Calgary, throwing for 486 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Maier threw four interceptions, and the Stamps’ offensive unit generated just one of the team’s two touchdowns.

When the Stamps practised Thursday, four quarterbacks all got a look from coach Dave Dickenson. On Friday, Logan Bonner was at the top of the quarterback depth chart, with Maier relegated to the backup role.

Bonner has completed eight passes for 94 yards this year as a backup.

Dickenson said there could be a chance that short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens could get more reps. Matt Shiltz is on the injured list but was a full participant in practice this week. He was listed as questionable but wasn’t on the Stamps’ depth chart.

“I did rep a lot of people today,” Dickenson said after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve got faith in Jake — you guys know I do. But I’ve got to explore a little bit.

“Matt’s trying to get in the mix, as well. Tommy wants a package. Logan has shown up and looked good from the get-go. I’m just trying to have the best roster I can.”

The Elks (4-8), once left for dead at the bottom of the Western standings, are very much alive in a division where a .500 record gets you first place. They can pass Calgary (4-7) in the standings if they win Saturday’s rematch at Commonwealth Stadium.

Meanwhile, Bethel-Thompson is looking like the quarterback who won a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts two seasons ago. It’s a far cry from when he heard boos as the Elks started the season 0-7, and he lost the starting job to Tre Ford.

Bethel-Thompson got the starter’s job back in mid-August when Ford went down with a rib injury. Ford is healthy again, but head coach Jarious Jackson has kept Bethel-Thompson atop the depth chart.

“We’ve got some tweaks, but it’s not a full wholesale change,” said Jackson, who, like Dickenson, instituted a two-game plan ahead of Labour Day, knowing the teams only had five days between Monday’s tilt in Calgary and Saturday’s rematch in Edmonton.

Bethel-Thompson said he’s developed a comfort level with the Elks big-three receivers — Tevin Jones, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Eugene Lewis.

“I’m a rep guy. The more reps I can get throwing to a guy, the more comfortable I get,” Bethel-Thompson said. “I’m a feel thrower. So, I throw off of guys’ body languages, and we’ve got a great receiving corps and great (running) backs.”

Gittens hauled in 115 receiving yards on Monday, while Lewis had 112 and a touchdown. And Jones, who has quickly become one of the league’s top big-play threats, went off for 205 yards and two majors.

“I love it here, so far it’s been great,” said Jones, who played the past two years in Saskatchewan but had nowhere near the impact he’s having in Edmonton. “I can’t wait for this game and watch the stands go crazy when we score — and we win.”

While the Elks are soaring, the Stamps are licking their wounds. Dickenson admitted that it’s not easy changing the team’s mindset after a resounding loss to their fiercest rivals.

“We’re trying to flush the negativity,” said Dickenson. “It’s hard. It’s out there. I told the guys we’re playing and coaching the game we love for a living. We also understand that losing can have an effect on that — your livelihood. We’ve got to get back to our winning ways.”

“They’re going to come back with a vengeance, they’re going to come back with a purpose,” Bethel-Thompson said of the Stamps. “It’s really hard to beat a really good team back-to-back weeks.”

HOME STRETCH: Because of big concerts — Pink and Metallica — scheduled at Commonwealth in August, the Elks have played just five games at home so far. That means four of their last six are at home.

REED RELEASED: The Stampeders released American defensive back Kenyon Reed this week. The rookie played three games this season for Calgary.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.

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French league’s legal board orders PSG to pay Kylian Mbappé 55 million euros of unpaid wages

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The French league’s legal commission has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé the 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages that he claims he’s entitled to, the league said Thursday.

The league confirmed the decision to The Associated Press without more details, a day after the France superstar rejected a mediation offer by the commission in his dispute with his former club.

PSG officials and Mbappé’s representatives met in Paris on Wednesday after Mbappé asked the commission to get involved. Mbappé joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer.

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Reggie Bush was at his LA-area home when 3 male suspects attempted to break in

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former football star Reggie Bush was at his Encino home Tuesday night when three male suspects attempted to break in, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

“Everyone is safe,” Bush said in a text message to the newspaper.

The Los Angeles Police Dept. told the Times that a resident of the house reported hearing a window break and broken glass was found outside. Police said nothing was stolen and that three male suspects dressed in black were seen leaving the scene.

Bush starred at Southern California and in the NFL. The former running back was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner this year. He forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers.

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B.C. Lions lean on versatile offence to continue win streak against Toronto Argonauts

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VANCOUVER – A fresh face has been gracing the B.C. Lions‘ highlight reels in recent weeks.

Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.

The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone B.C. player to reel in a passing major in his team’s 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions’ win over the Ottawa Redblacks.

“It’s been awesome. It’s been really good,” Eberhardt said of his recent play. “At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn’t love scoring?”

He’ll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.

Eberhardt signed with B.C. as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.

The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions’ head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.

“He’s a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it,” Campbell said.

The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.

“He could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he’d know exactly what he’s doing,” the coach said. “That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback’s trust. And you see him making plays.”

Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions’ staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They’ve all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.

“I’ve played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football,” he said. “I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.”

While B.C.’s lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback — who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards — and wide receiver Justin McInnis — who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) — versatility has been a critical part of the team’s back-to-back wins.

“I think we’ve got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it’s really my job to get them the ball as much as possible,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke.

“I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we’re in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that’s a good place to be.”

Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.

Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.

“We’ll have our hands full,” Rourke said. “We’ll have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they’ll be ready to go so we’ll have to be as well.”

The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.

A win on Friday would vault B.C. to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.

Collecting that victory isn’t assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.

“They’ve hit a little bit of a rut, but they’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly’s) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we’re expecting their best shot.”

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT B.C. LIONS (7-6)

Friday, B.C. Place

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven’t been easy for Toronto in recent years — since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against B.C.

CENTURION: B.C. defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. “Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young,” Peters said. “It makes me feel good, and my body doesn’t really feel it. I’ve been blessed to be able to play 100 straight.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

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