Desperate Stampeders host winless Redblacks
Two CFL teams on the ropes for different reasons seek traction Saturday at McMahon Stadium.
Calgary Stampeders (5-8) and Ottawa Redblacks (0-12) played a game at McMahon Stadium on Saturday. The Redblacks, desperate to secure their first win of the 2026 season, hoped to break their 18-game losing streak, while the Stampeders, fighting for playoff survival, were also seeking momentum. Quarterbacks Vernon Adams Jr. and McLeod Bethel-Thompson made their debuts for their respective teams.
Bethel-Thompson, making his first start of the season, completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 192 yards and a touchdown pass. Despite the Redblacks' struggles, Bethel-Thompson remained optimistic, expressing pride in the team's focus and determination. The Stampeders, who have lost four of their last five games, led the league in average points per game during the first half of the season but have dropped below 30 points in their last four contests.
Calgary's leading rusher, Dedrick Mills, Dejon Brissett, and Ben Labrosse (interceptions leader) would not play. Calgary cornerback Adrian Greene, who reclaimed the starting job from Labrosse, was among those returning to the lineup.
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