Stampeders ruin the Redblacks home opener for first win of the season

Jake Maier threw for 304 yards and scored a rushing touchdown as the Calgary Stampeders ruined the Ottawa Redblacks’ home opener with a 26-15 victory over TD Place on Thursday.

Redblacks fans will have to wait until June 30 to see if Ottawa can pull off a home win as they take on the Edmonton Elks after a bye week. The Redblacks’ last win at home was in September 2021.

Maier went 19-of-28 and also threw one interception. Dedrick Mills rushed for another touchdown as part of a 98-yard effort on the ground and Reggie Begelton led the Stampeders with 119 yards on six receptions.

Nick Arbuckle started the game for Ottawa, but was replaced by Tyrie Adams late in the second quarter after an underperformance.

Arbuckle was 13-of-21 for 72 yards and one interception, while Adams went seven-of-13 for 88 yards.

Adams drove the Redblacks into the redzone, but Ottawa had to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Lewis Ward with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter.

Rene Paredes followed with a 14-yard field goal—the 499th of his career—to make it 26-15 for the Stampeders with 2:32 left.

After a rocky start, trailing 15-4 with 44 seconds left in the first half, the Redblacks salvaged the first half thanks to a 79-yard punt return by Brandin Dandridge. A two-point conversion made it a three-point game, as Ottawa trailed 15-12.

The Redblacks started the game strong with an opening drive that took them to the Calgary four-yard line, but they failed to capitalize and even went for it in third.

A single late in the quarter brought Ottawa on the board, but then Calgary took control.

In the last minute of the first quarter, Calgary was able to march off the field and Mills completed the drive with a three-yard touchdown and with a two-point conversion to lead 8–1.

Calgary extended its advantage after Adams threw the ball on the Ottawa 26 yard line, allowing Branden Dozier to run the ball back for a second Stampeders TD to make it 15–1.

Peyton Logan’s fumble on a punt return gave Ottawa possession on the Calgary 11-yard line, but the Redblacks failed to convert and settled for a 13-yard field goal.

Adam Auclair’s interception gave the Redblacks a chance.

But on the next play, Arbuckle made a poor call and was intercepted, leading to his substitution.