The Ottawa Redblacks could see the finish line the past two games but remained winless under excruciating circumstances.
Ottawa (0-13) has sustained consecutive setbacks on last-second field goals and will look to avoid its 20th consecutive loss when it hosts the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday in the second end of a back-to-back between the teams.
Last week’s contest in Calgary ended on a booming 62-yard field goal by Rene Paredes as time expired, giving the Stampeders a 40-38 victory.
One week earlier, Lirim Hajrullahu kicked a 29-yard field goal as time ran out to give the Toronto Argonauts a 26-23 win over Ottawa.
Redblacks coach Ryan Dinwiddie said his team deserved a “better fate” vs. the Stampeders.
“Obviously, we’ve got to play better on the field, but that was a tough loss, especially losing that way, especially when you’re trying to get a monkey off your back to get a win,” Dinwiddie said.
Calgary (6-8) needs a victory to bolster its playoff hopes.
The Stampeders, of course, avoided a painful loss with Paredes’ last-second missile kick. It was the third-longest field goal in CFL history, 1 yard shy of the record shared by Paul McCallum (2001) and Sergio Castillo (2025).
“I was super impressed that he did his normal routine and let it rip,” Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson said. “I thought he made it by 4 or 5 yards. Great kick by him. One of the classic moments of Stampeders football.”
Now Calgary will see if winning in such dramatic fashion can lead to a sweep of the back-to-back.
“It can carry over,” Dickenson said. “Momentum’s real, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s also about creating your own energy and making sure you’re playing better football.”
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 28 of 41 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns and one interception last week. Jalen Philpot caught nine passes for 118 yards and one score.
Adams has passed for 27 touchdowns against five interceptions this year. He has 3,261 passing yards.
The Redblacks gave veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson his first start of the season last week and he connected on 27 of 48 passes for 379 yards with a career-best five touchdowns to go with one interception. Justin Hardy had 12 grabs for 129 yards and one score.
Bethel-Thompson, 38, is a two-time Grey Cup champion, one as Toronto’s starting quarterback in 2022. He is now looking to steer Ottawa out of the zero-win column.
“The guys are fighting,” Dinwiddie said. “I don’t think they quit. I don’t think they quit all year. Now are we making plays we need to make? No.”
–Field Level Media
