
McMahon Stadium is beginning to feel like a little slice of home for the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Despite a “real feel” temperature of two degrees celsius, torrential rainfall, and wind gusts between 40 and 60 km/h, the REDBLACKS won a battle of attrition over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, earning their first victory of the season by a final score of 20-12.
“Give credit to those guys, and the coaches. They’ve worked hard this week, and I’m happy to see them end up with a win,” said Head Coach Bob Dyce. “Conditions weren’t great, but at the end of the day, both teams had to play in them. It was great complementary football. When each unit had to step up, they did.”
All units were indeed called upon in the effort. Dustin Crum was efficient under centre, finishing the game with no turnovers despite the horrid conditions, and throwing for 111 yards, and a game-clinching touchdown to Daniel Adeboboye with time winding down. Crum also acted as part of a three-headed monster in Ottawa’s rushing attack; with Adeboboye picking up 96 yards on 10 carries, and William Stanback rushing for 82 on nine, breaking the 5,000-yard mark on his career.
“It’s awesome, just to be able to be a part of it and contribute in any way,” Crum said following the win. “I think that was probably some of the toughest conditions I’ve ever thrown in in my life. It was a mess for sure, but like I said, it was awesome to be a part of it and to be able to contribute.”
On defence, the REDBLACKS held Vernon Adams Jr. to just 218 yards and no touchdowns, with Charlie Ringland notching an interception. Adrian Frye’s third forced fumble of the season resulted in a recovery by Amari Henderson, in a game where the unit also made a massive goal line stand.
The REDBLACKS got on the board first, with Crum marching them down the field on a 10-play drive that was capped off by a 34-yard Lewis Ward field goal on their opening possession.
Calgary made it a one-point game with a safety, but in the final three minutes of the half, Crum and Stanback put together some chunk plays, before a 17-yard catch by Keelan White set up a 22-yarder by Ward, and the REDBLACKS took a 6-2 lead into the half.
The weather conditions slightly improved in the final half, and the Stampeders’ first possession of the third quarter resulted in a 77-yard punt single.
On the next drive, however, Crum hooked up with Geno Lewis for a 23-yard catch and run, and a Calgary roughing the passer penalty added to the huge gain. Ward was good once again, this time from 27, making it a 9-3 score.
Not to be outdone, Rene Paredes drilled a 42-yarder on Calgary’s next drive, again making it a three-point game.
Crum and the REDBLACKS kept it going with another 10-play drive on the ensuing possession, aided by a 23-yard completion to Kalil Pimpleton on the first play from scrimmage. Ward drilled a 33-yard attempt to make it 12-6, but Calgary again responded on their next possession, and the Ottawa lead remained a slim three.
After the (relative) scoring frenzy, both defences traded stops, before a rouge by Richie Leone, and a 42-yard field goal from Paredes made this a 13-12 game with just 6:52 to go.
Not content with another three, the REDBLACKS offence finally exploded upon getting the ball back, with Adeboboye rushing for a combined 61 yards on their first two plays, including finding a lane for a massive 52-yard run on second and one, setting Ottawa up at the Calgary nine-yard line. On first and goal, Adeboboye leaked out into the flat, and Crum found him for what held up as the game’s only touchdown.
“It felt good [to score the winning touchown],” said Adeboboye. “I believe that these things are already written. God is sovereign, and it’s a great opportunity. It doesn’t matter what stadium we’re in, we come to win for each other, and that’s all it is.”
Ringland put a major dent in any Calgary comeback hopes with his first career interception, but when another Ward field goal attempt was taken by the wind and blasted off of the goalpost, the Ottawa defence held firm again, securing their first win of 2025.
The REDBLACKS return home to face the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday. June 29, in the annual Canada Day Game, featuring special musical guest JUNO award-winning artist JJ Wilde.