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Turnover battle looms large in Labour Day clash between Edmonton and Calgary

From Global News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Edmonton leads the CFL in forced turnovers and turnover ratio, while Calgary has also ranked among the league’s strongest teams at taking the ball away.
  • The Elks’ defence, which allows a league-low 25.4 points per game, faces Calgary’s league-leading scoring average of 36.9 points.
  • Edmonton is seeking a third straight win and a stronger position in the West Division, while Calgary is trying to remain in playoff contention.

The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders will meet in a Labour Day rivalry game shaped by one question: which team can protect the ball better?

Edmonton has forced a league-leading 33 turnovers this season, including 17 interceptions, and converted them into 103 points. Its plus-14 turnover ratio also tops the CFL. Calgary has forced 26 turnovers, including 15 interceptions, producing 83 points, and owns a plus-11 ratio.

Our defence is taking the ball away and our offence is capitalizing scoring points, which is the difference in a lot of games.

· Cody FajardoThe Edmonton quarterback explained how turnovers have powered the team’s season.

“Our defence is taking the ball away and our offence is capitalizing scoring points, which is the difference in a lot of games,” Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo said. He added that teams have a chance to win when they win the turnover battle, but pointed to Edmonton’s 19 fumbles as an area that needs improvement.

Calgary coach and general manager Dave Dickenson called turnover ratio the most important statistic in sports. The matchup also pits Calgary’s league-leading average of 36.9 points per game against an Edmonton defence allowing just 25.4 points per game, the lowest figure in the league.

I’ve always said it’s the most important stat in sports. Hasn’t always held true for us this year, but I think it’s most important.

· Dave DickensonThe Calgary coach and general manager emphasized the importance of turnover ratio.

Calgary will host the 44th consecutive Labour Day meeting at McMahon Stadium. Edmonton, coming off a bye, is pursuing a third straight win after victories over Toronto and Winnipeg. The Elks are also aiming to stay atop the West Division and potentially host a home playoff game for the first time in more than a decade. Calgary is trying to climb out of the division basement and remain in the postseason race.

The Stampeders enter after a 28-23 win over Hamilton, their fourth victory despite having lost four games by four points or fewer. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who missed that game with a head injury, practiced during the week and was cleared to play. “We understand the urgency that we have right now,” Adams said. “We control our own destiny.”

We understand the urgency that we have right now. We control our own destiny.

· Vernon Adams Jr.The Calgary quarterback described the team’s playoff situation before the rivalry game.
About this summary

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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