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Ottawa Citizen
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
What did we learn from Redblacks' slump-stopping win over Calgary Stampeders?
Facing an injury-depleted and schedule-challenged opponent, the Ottawa Redblacks' 'must-win' game against the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday night was almost a 'can't lose.' Article content All the cards, on paper at least, were stacked in their favour. Article content Article content But stacked cards on paper can sometimes collapse and, to their credit, the Redblacks didn't let that happen. Article content So what does the 31-11 victory tell us? Article content Article content Other than the fact that the Redblacks are now 2-0 against the Stampeders and 0-6 against the rest of the CFL? Article content Article content Well, for one thing, it tells us the Redblacks can still become this year's version of the 2024 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who also started 2-6 before going on to play in the Grey Cup. Article content It tells us that the offence can score against one of the best defences in the league, even if all of Ottawa's points came in two quarters and one of them was a Dustin Crum plunge in the fourth that only came because Calgary coach Dave Dickenson elected to gamble on third-and-10 from his own nine-yard line with two minutes left. Article content It tells us that the defence, under new coordinator Will Fields, can be opportunistic and shut down an opponent, even though Calgary star QB Vernon Adams Jr. missed the game with a head injury and his replacement, P.J. Walker, was less than average (54.1% completion rate) when he wasn't throwing three interceptions. Article content Article content It also tells us that head coach Bob Dyce still has his players' ears because most of them used his favourite s-word in their own interviews when discussing about what the Redblacks must do going forward. Article content Article content 'We talk about stacking things and stacking wins,' Dyce said when asked if victory coming off a bye week against a team missing several banged-up parts and playing its fourth game in 19 days can be considered an honest-to-goodness building block. 'The only thing we're focused on now is stacking for next week. But definite positive things happened out there.' Article content Next week, the Redblacks will be in Toronto to face the Argos, who on Friday night visit the Blue Bombers in a rematch of the 2024 Grey Cup. Article content After Thursday's result, the Redblacks and the Argos were tied at four points, with Toronto holding a game in hand. Article content Like the Redblacks, the Argos will be facing a backup quarterback in Winnipeg, but no matter what happens on Friday, Ottawa can and needs to avenge the 29-16 Week 4 loss to the Double Blue without its own injured No. 1 QB.
Vancouver Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
What did we learn from Redblacks' slump-stopping win over Calgary Stampeders?
Facing an injury-depleted and schedule-challenged opponent, the Ottawa Redblacks' 'must-win' game against the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday night was almost a 'can't lose.' All the cards, on paper at least, were stacked in their favour. But stacked cards on paper can sometimes collapse and, to their credit, the Redblacks didn't let that happen. So what does the 31-11 victory tell us? Other than the fact that the Redblacks are now 2-0 against the Stampeders and 0-6 against the rest of the CFL? Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Well, for one thing, it tells us the Redblacks can still become this year's version of the 2024 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who also started 2-6 before going on to play in the Grey Cup. It tells us that the offence can score against one of the best defences in the league, even if all of Ottawa's points came in two quarters and one of them was a Dustin Crum plunge in the fourth that only came because Calgary coach Dave Dickenson elected to gamble on third-and-10 from his own nine-yard line with two minutes left. It tells us that the defence, under new coordinator Will Fields, can be opportunistic and shut down an opponent, even though Calgary star QB Vernon Adams Jr. missed the game with a head injury and his replacement, P.J. Walker, was less than average (54.1% completion rate) when he wasn't throwing three interceptions. It also tells us that head coach Bob Dyce still has his players' ears because most of them used his favourite s-word in their own interviews when discussing about what the Redblacks must do going forward. 'We talk about stacking things and stacking wins,' Dyce said when asked if victory coming off a bye week against a team missing several banged-up parts and playing its fourth game in 19 days can be considered an honest-to-goodness building block. 'The only thing we're focused on now is stacking for next week. But definite positive things happened out there.' Next week, the Redblacks will be in Toronto to face the Argos, who on Friday night visit the Blue Bombers in a rematch of the 2024 Grey Cup. After Thursday's result, the Redblacks and the Argos were tied at four points, with Toronto holding a game in hand. Like the Redblacks, the Argos will be facing a backup quarterback in Winnipeg, but no matter what happens on Friday, Ottawa can and needs to avenge the 29-16 Week 4 loss to the Double Blue without its own injured No. 1 QB. From there, the Redblacks travel to take on the now 3-3 Blue Bombers, then come back home to face the now 1-5 Edmonton Elks, then have their second bye before a back-to-back home-and-away showdown with the now 3-5 B.C. Lions, then return home to face the Blue Bombers again. In short, the Redblacks are positioned to do some stacking, just like Winnipeg did after its own 2-6 start a year ago. Co-sharing that honour with receiver Justin Hardy and the first two-touchdown game of his CFL career was the Redblacks' defence. Granted, it was facing a quarterback making his first start in the league, but along with the red-zone interceptions by Amari Henderson, Deandre Lamont and a 61-yard pick six by Alijah McGhee, it held the league's top rushing team to just 35 yards and Dedrick Mills, the country's second-leading rusher, to just 11 yards on seven carries. 'That was a hell of a performance by those guys,' Dyce said of the unit, which allowed Calgary just three points in the first half and scored a touchdown in the second. 'Those guys made plays every single time they had an opportunity. We talk about maximizing opportunities in critical situations, and that's what they did. I think P.J. is a good quarterback, and they've got a good offence, and I think Coach Field did a great job in having a plan to eliminate those guys.' Middle linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox led the defence in tackles with seven, while Henderson had two pass knockdowns to go with his first interception as a Redblack. 'I had a club on (my hand) for the last couple of weeks due to a dislocated pinky, so it's my first game without the club,' the former Saskatchewan DB said. 'And I knew whenever the ball was in there, I was going to have an opportunity to make a play and I just made a play.' It wasn't exceptional by any standards. Ottawa didn't get a first down in the first 13 minutes and Dru Brown was sacked twice and picked off in a third quarter that saw him throw for just 12 yards. But they did have a season-high five plays of more than 20 yards and Eugene Lewis had his best game as a Redblack with five catches for 110 yards. 'It sounds super simple, because it is very simple,' Brown said of building off this night. 'There are certain plays that are easier to execute at times, but if everyone does what they're supposed to, then we should be able to continuously move the ball forward. And I think, being able to kind of put together some good football at times gives us confidence and kind of shows what we can do.' Asked if he as ever been as open as he was for his second score of the game, the veteran receiver leaned back, thought and smiled. 'I was pretty open … that might have been the most open I have been, though, I will say,' Hardy stated. How did it happen? 'Everybody is flowing,' Hardy explained. 'Defence, moving, offence, moving. They get in the wrong position and I just find the open space. I didn't even run the right route. I just ran to the space.' With the ball on the Calgary 15, Brown threw it about 30 yards to Hardy as he waited deep in the endzone. His main task was to just make sure he didn't miss his target. 'It was a good (play) design, for sure,' Brown said. 'They just didn't cover him because of what we were doing. Our defence covers that play pretty well in practice at times. But (the Stamps) were doing some different things that they hadn't necessarily shown a ton of and that was one of the things that they went to. You'd have to ask them why, but the play design kind of unlocked him.' Right tackle Zack Pelehos, who missed the start of the season with a training-camp foot injury, left the game after limping off the field during the first offensive series. And McGhee suffered an undisclosed injury following his interception that prevented him from finishing the game. Dyce didn't have updates on their status immediately after the game and didn't mention anyone else who might have been dinged up. One step at a time, of course, but now that they've snapped a four-game slump, they have need to go on a winning streak of similar length. 'We've got to have a sense of urgency,' Henderson said. 'We always talk about that. It is still early in the season, we've got a lot of games left, but the time is now. We can't wait. And it's all across the board, from the coaching staff to the players, we all have just got to have a sense of urgency. 'It all starts with practice. Come in and work, then just execute when it's time, execute when the game comes.'
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Surging Tiger-Cats dump struggling Redblacks 30-15 at TD Place
Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum (18) is sacked by Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman TyJuan Garbutt (9) during first half CFL action in Ottawa on Sunday, July 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby OTTAWA — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats had plenty to cheer about following a 30-15 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks Sunday night. Not only was this the fourth straight win for the Tiger-Cats (4-2) but they're now first in the CFL's East Division. It also marked consecutive victories over their division rival. 'I thought we were resilient,' said Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich. 'We talked at halftime. I felt like we let them in the game. We had a 10-point lead and made some mistakes that I think kept it from growing, but that's football and they're paid, too. 'They've got talent, and we wanted to come out and win the first part of the third quarter. I felt like if we did that, we win the game. That's what happened.' While the Tiger-Cats are surging in the right direction, the Redblacks (1-6) dropped their fourth straight and head into a bye week wondering how to turn things around. The time off will be beneficial for a number of Ottawa players, including quarterback Dru Brown, who was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after taking a blindside hit from Dashaun Amos. He completed 6-of-8 passes for 66 yards and had one interception before being replaced by Dustin Crum. Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce shared that Brown will be going through concussion protocol. Dyce said that in the moment he felt the play should have resulted in Amos's expulsion, but he'll be reviewing the play closely. 'I think we do have to make sure that we are protecting quarterbacks to the best of our ability.' Crum was decent going 16-for-22 for 149 yards and one interception for the hosts. Dyce had stressed the importance of capitalizing on critical moments, but as has been the case far too often this season, the Redblacks fell short. Hamilton's QB Bo-Levi Mitchell had a good night going 21-for-33 for 327 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but Milanovich credited his defence for the turnovers they generated. 'They continued to keep them from getting back the momentum and kept giving us chances offensively,' said Milanovich. 'So, hats off to them.' Hamilton DB Destin Talbert had two interceptions that ended drives that could have turned into scoring plays. 'We had the lead, but barely, felt like they were hanging around and we had to gain some distance,' said Talbert. 'So, felt good, important, to make those plays.' Hamilton scored a field goal on its opening drive and, later in the first quarter, Brown was intercepted at Ottawa's 46-yard line. Two plays later, Mitchell threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Lawler, giving him his league-leading eighth touchdown of the season to take a 10-0 lead. Marc Liegghio added a 36-yard field goal late in the second quarter to round out Hamilton's first half scoring. Ottawa's Lewis Ward connected on four field goals from 21, 28, 33 and 45 yards to bring Ottawa within one, to trail 13-12 at halftime. With six minutes to play in the third quarter, Mitchell showed his veteran poise on second-and-18, finding Kiondre Smith for a 63-yard gain that set up first-and-goal at Ottawa's three. On the next play, Treshaun Ward punched it in to give Hamilton a 20-12 lead. Ottawa cut the deficit to 20-15 with Ward's fifth field goal of the night, a 27-yarder, after Adarius Pickett intercepted Mitchell and returned it to Hamilton's 24. Asked if doubt was starting to creep into the locker room, Crum said it's more about players needing to be self reflective and being able to handle adversity. 'It's a matter of being able to overcome that,' he said. 'Develop that kind of killer instinct, that mindset, that no matter what happens we're going to come out and win.' Hamilton made it 27-15 midway through the fourth quarter after Ante Milanovic-Litre scored on a one-yard run and added a late field goal. Notes Ottawa's Jovan Santos-Knox and Anthony Gosselin each played their 100th career CFL game. The game was costly for both teams. Ottawa lost DL Cleyon Laing, while Hamilton OL Jordan Murray had to be carted off. Up Next Tiger-Cats: Visit the B.C. Lions on Sunday, July 27. Redblacks: Host the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday, July 31. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2025. Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
National Post
30-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Opportunistic Slywka lifts Argos to first win with 29-16 decision against Redblacks
OTTAWA — The Toronto Argonauts picked up their first win of the CFL season with an impressive 29-16 performance over the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday. Article content Turnovers were the key to Toronto's success with Derek Slywka scoring two defensive touchdowns for the Argos (1-3). Article content Argos' quarterback Nick Arbuckle had a solid outing, finishing the night 18-for-25 for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Article content Article content Dustin Crum, making his second straight start at quarterback for Ottawa (1-3), was 20-for-30 for 235 yards and one interception., He ran the ball eight times for 60 yards and one TD. Crum endured a tough night though, taking five sacks. Article content Lirim Hajrullahu added a 43-yard field goal in the fourth and Lewis Ward responded with his own 40-yarder to make it 31-16. Article content After struggling in the red zone Ottawa finally gave fans something to cheer about late in the third, as Crum led a seven-play drive capped by his one-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 25-13. Article content Ward added a 45-yard field goal midway through the third making it 25-6. Article content Article content On the opening drive of the second half, a blocked Redblacks' field goal attempt turned into disaster as Slywka returned it 120 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Argos' lead to 25-3. Article content Ottawa finally got on the board with a 50-yard field goal as time expired in the half, to trail 18-3. Article content Arbuckle marched the Argos down field and capitalized on the drive when he found Ryan Hunter alone in the end zone to take an 18-0 lead. Article content Ottawa appeared ready to score early in the second quarter when Crum hit Kalil Pimpleton for a 15-yard gain, but as Pimpleton fought for extra yards, he fumbled at the Toronto five-yard line. Slywka scooped it up and raced the length of the field for an Argos touchdown. Article content
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Opportunistic Slywka lifts Argos to first win with 29-16 decision against Redblacks
Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman George Moore (56) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during first half CFL football action against the Ottawa Redblacks in Ottawa, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby OTTAWA — The Toronto Argonauts picked up their first win of the CFL season with an impressive 29-16 performance over the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday. Turnovers were the key to Toronto's success with Derek Slywka scoring two defensive touchdowns for the Argos (1-3). Argos' quarterback Nick Arbuckle had a solid outing, finishing the night 18-for-25 for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Dustin Crum, making his second straight start at quarterback for Ottawa (1-3), was 20-for-30 for 235 yards and one interception., He ran the ball eight times for 60 yards and one TD. Crum endured a tough night though, taking five sacks. Lirim Hajrullahu added a 43-yard field goal in the fourth and Lewis Ward responded with his own 40-yarder to make it 28-16. After struggling in the red zone Ottawa finally gave fans something to cheer about late in the third, as Crum led a seven-play drive capped by his one-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 25-13. Ward added a 45-yard field goal midway through the third making it 25-6. On the opening drive of the second half, a blocked Redblacks' field goal attempt turned into disaster as Slywka returned it 120 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Argos' lead to 25-3. Ottawa finally got on the board with a 50-yard field goal as time expired in the half, to trail 18-3. Arbuckle marched the Argos down field and capitalized on the drive when he found Ryan Hunter alone in the end zone to take an 18-0 lead. Ottawa appeared ready to score early in the second quarter when Crum hit Kalil Pimpleton for a 15-yard gain, but as Pimpleton fought for extra yards, he fumbled at the Toronto five-yard line. Slywka scooped it up and raced the length of the field for an Argos touchdown. Toronto opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal on its opening drive and Ottawa conceded a single to give the Argonauts a 4-0 lead after the first quarter. UP NEXT Argonauts: Host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday. Redblacks: Visit the Edmonton Elks on Sunday, July 6. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025. Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
