Calgary Stampeders vs Ottawa REDBLACKS October 29, 2021 PHOTO: André Ringuette/Freestyle Photography
Despite a valiant effort against one of the CFL’s hottest teams, the Ottawa REDBLACKS fell 26-13 to the Calgary Stampeders at The Stadium at TD Place.
Quarterback Caleb Evans threw for 173 yards, and connected with receiver Kenny Stafford for a dazzling touchdown play, while kicker Lewis Ward made good on two field goal attempts.
The REDBLACKS took the lead early, with a 50-yard completion from Evans to Nate Behar setting up a 15-yard field goal by Lewis Ward, giving Ottawa a 3-0 advantage just over five minutes in.
The Stampeders responded with a field goal of their own not long after, tying the game at 3-3.
Not to be outdone, the REDBLACKS defence forced a series of Calgary punts, and the Ottawa offence found itself deep in Stamps territory again. This time, Evans launched a pass to the endzone under pressure, and Stafford went up for a marvelous catch to put another six points on the board. Ward was perfect on the point-after try, and made the score 10-3 REDBLACKS.
In the second quarter, the Stampeders drew even on a three-yard run by Ka’Deem Carey, after the PAT by Rene Paredes. Paredes knocked through a field goal not long after, giving Calgary their first lead of the night, at 13-10.
A late push by the Stamps was stifled by the REDBLACKS defence, and Ottawa went into the half trailing by three.
Calgary opened the second half with the ball in hand, and turned their opening drive into another field goal, making it a 16-10 game. With just under four to go in the third quarter, the REDBLACKS turned an extended drive into another Ward field goal, cutting the lead to three once again.
In the dying seconds of the third quarter, lined up on the the Ottawa 15, the Stampeders brought in backup quarterback Jake Maier for an apparent QB sneak, but Maier instead rolled to his right, and found receiver Kamar Jorden in the endzone for a touchdown, and a 23-13 Calgary lead.
Another field goal by Paredes would put this one out of reach, despite a phenomenal forced fumble and recovery by linebacker Avery Williams late in the game, and the REDBLACKS fell by a final score of 26-13.
Game Notes:
- Quarterback Caleb Evans logged a career-high 68 rushing yards.
- Receiver Nate Behar hauled in a career-high 98 receiving yards.
- Linebacker Avery Williams paced the team, defensively, tallying eight total tackles, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
- Receiver Kenny Stafford now has three touchdowns in six games with the REDBLACKS.
Up Next: The REDBLACKS play their final home game of the 2021 season next Saturday, November 6. The Toronto Argonauts are in town for a 4:00pm EDT kickoff.
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