Ottawa's Redblacks lost 45-31 to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, falling to 0-14 and stretching the club's losing streak to 20 games.
How the game went
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was nearly untouchable through the air, completing 24 of 30 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Running back Deonta McMahon added two touchdowns of his own, including a four-yard rush in the second quarter that put Calgary further ahead.
Ottawa didn't go quietly. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, making his second straight start for the Redblacks this season, threw for 418 yards on 30-of-47 passing with two touchdowns and one interception. It was a big workload and a strong individual outing that still wasn't enough to end the drought.
What Ottawa said afterward
"In the third and the fourth we just played simple football and did the simple things well," he said.
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, now 20 games into the streak without a win, said effort hasn't been the issue. "One thing we can't question is our fight, we fight for a full 60," he said.
Even the opposing coach had kind words for Ottawa's staff. Calgary's Dave Dickenson praised Dinwiddie's offensive mind. "I've got respect for Ryan," Dickenson said. "I think the league knows he's an excellent offensive mind, head coach."
What it means for Calgary
The win matters a lot more on Calgary's side of the ledger. The Stampeders improved to 7-8 and are now tied for fourth in the West Division with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 14 points each, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Under CFL crossover rules, the fourth-place team in the West can take a playoff spot from the third-place team in the East if it finishes the regular season with more points. That rule means Saturday's win over Ottawa carries real postseason weight for Calgary, even with a losing record.
Where Ottawa goes from here
For the Redblacks, there's no such upside. At 0-14, Ottawa remains mired in one of the worst stretches in franchise history, and the loss keeps alive questions about who lines up under centre going forward. ottown's earlier report looked at whether a win over Calgary might finally open the door for rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes to get a real look under centre. That door remains shut for now, with Bethel-Thompson getting his second straight start and turning in one of Ottawa's better statistical performances of the season despite the result.
Saturday's rematch went differently in style, an offensive shootout rather than a kicking duel, but the outcome was the same.
Sources: Global News, paNOW
