Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr., has a pretty simple formula for his ideal state of mind for Saturday’s West semifinal at BC Place versus the Lions.

“Calm, relaxed, and prepared,” he said with a smile this week after a practice.

Adams is 0-2 against the Lions after the club traded him to the Stamps last November. That includes a 52-23 blowout at McMahon Stadium in September where he threw two early interceptions. He downplayed going against Nathan Rourke and a cast of former teammates in the biggest game of the season.

“They got us twice…and they want to put on a good performance for their fans,” he said.

“It’s a playoff game. Whether it’s BC or anyone else, it means a lot…I spent some time there, but it’s all good. We know we’ve got to get this win.”

Adams also commended Rourke, a Most Outstanding Player candidate who led the most-efficient offence in league history this season.

“Nate’s balling,” Adams said. “He’s having a hell of a year, especially the backend of the season.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

Adams, an Oregon and Eastern Washington product, seized the one chance he was given in southern Alberta with a Stamps organization in transition.

The 32-year-old native of Pasadena, California, led Calgary to an 11-7 mark – a six-win improvement over 2024 – in his first season at the helm. Teammates have rallied around his upbeat personality, intense work ethic, and leadership style.

“He puts people out of their comfort zones and allows them to speak as well,” veteran Reggie Begelton told TSN at the start of the season. “He calls them out to see what you’re going to do…after warmups, it’s not just the same guys speaking before practice. He’ll call somebody out and say, ‘Hey, what are you going to say?’ It makes everybody one.”

Adams played with receiver Dominique Rhymes in BC, and Rhymes led Calgary receivers with 886 yards and six touchdowns this season. He said that Adam’s non-linear journey through the league prepared him for the challenge of leading the Stamps.

“It’s the complexity of the league,” he said. “The thing about Vernon [is] he shrugs it off. He keeps playing. He keeps making big plays…we’re excited to have him as our quarterback.”

At his introductory news conference months ago, both Adams and head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said that they’d had eyes on each other for several seasons and wanted to eventually work together.

On the heels of an impressive bounce back campaign for the franchise, they’ll try to lead Calgary on Saturday to its first playoff win since they took home the 2018 Grey Cup.

“I’m proud of the guys for what we’ve accomplished, and to me that’s the success,” Dickenson said.

“But you’re really not in it for the regular season victories. You’re trying to make noise in the playoffs. I do believe in the process though.

“I don’t think that it’s just if you win the Grey Cup, that means you’re successful. These guys have put a lot of time and work into it. They’ve gotten a lot better and have already accomplished something that not a lot of people thought they would. It’s already a success, but what level of success?”

Adams, already accomplished in his own right, is fuelled in part by what he doesn’t have…yet.

“I haven’t been to a Grey Cup yet,” he said.

“It matters a lot, man. I think we all play to become champions. It really does matter, but I can only control what I can control and be the best version of me and being in the ‘Make Plays’ mode.

“ Don’t do too much. Try to own the ball and move the ball as well.”