Red-Black Stampeders | The Stratford Beacon Herald

Article Contents

With next week off and 13 days left to play, the Ottawa Redblacks are entering their second rest period feeling good.

Article Contents

The Bank St. Bullies delivered their most complete performance of the season on Friday night, defeating the Calgary Stampeders 33-6 before 17,267 fans at TD Place.

In their most decisive victory since beating the Montreal Alouettes 32-4 in 2017, the Redblacks improved their record to 5-2 for their best seven-game start in their 10-year history.

It’s also the first time since 2018 that they’ve won five games in a single season… and it’s only July.

Most impressively, however, this is the first time an Ottawa CFL team has recorded a 4-0 home win since the 1978 season.

While the offense won the first of its current three-game winning streak and the defense the second, beating the Stamps was a team effort.

Article Contents

A 99-yard punt return for a touchdown by rookie Kalil (The Thrill) Pimpleton was also among the possibilities.

Receiver Jaelon Acklin and short-yardage QB Dustin Crum had the other TDs, while Lewis Ward was again Mr. Reliable, making 4 of 4 field goals

In addition to his spectacular performance in his first game as Ottawa’s return specialist, Pimpleton was also the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 80 yards.

Quarterback Dru Brown was sharp, completing 30 of 37 passes for 325 yards.

The Redblacks led 16-3 at halftime, but the score did not do justice to the way they dominated on both ends of the line.

They had 16 first downs, compared to Calgary’s three, and 270 net yards of offense compared to the Stamps’ 39.

In the two quarters, Brown completed 20 of 25 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown, while his opponent, Jake Maier, completed seven of 10 passes for 31 yards.

Article Contents

However, the home team still struggled to finish the drives they started, allowing Ward to score field goals of 40, 23 and 42 yards before halftime.

The Redblacks lost running back Ryquell Armstead with 10:15 left in the second quarter after he took his second misconduct penalty of the night. Armstead has crossed the line before. Earlier this season, he was fined by the CFL for verbal abuse of an official.

Because they signed former Ottawa Gee Gees running back Amlicar Polk to the practice roster this week, they were left with fullback Marco Dubois as their lone back after Armstead’s removal, though receiver Bralon Addison entered the game with a season-high 19 carries for 62 yards.

Key plays on the Redblacks’ six-snap, 73-yard first-quarter touchdown drive included a 19-yard pass over the middle to Acklin, an 18-yard screen to Rock Armstead that began with a block by Pimpleton, a 13-yard reverse to Justin Hardy and finally a smooth 14-yard touchdown pass to Acklin.

Davion Taylor and Lorenzo Mauldin impressively held off the visitors on Calgary’s first two attacks, preventing them from getting a first down before scoring their first points, a 50-yard field goal from Rene Paredes.

The Redblacks now have one game until August 8, when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Redblacks left tackle Dino Boyd was a game day scratch for personal reasons. Drake Centers came off the practice roster to start in his place.

Article Contents