The Calgary Stampeders secured a dramatic 40-38 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks on September 19, 2026. A career-best 62-yard field goal from Rene Paredes in the final moments clinched the win at McMahon Stadium.

Advertisement

Rene Paredes' 62-yard career long at McMahon Stadium

The Calgary Stampeders maintained their playoff hopes with a narrow win over the Ottawa Redblacks in a high-scoring affair.. Rene Paredes provided the decisive moment, drilling a 62-yard field goal with only two seconds remaining on the clock. This kick, which stands as the longest of his career, capped a night of intense momentum shifts in front of 20,113 fans.

Calgary's offensive production was driven by a balanced attack led by quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. As the report indicates, Adams Jr. accounted for 357 passing yards and two touchdowns during the contest. Jalen Philpot proved to be a vital target, recording two touchdown receptions, including a 23-yard catch in the fourth quarter that allowed the Stampeders to seize control.

A historic 0-13 start for the Ottawa Redblacks

The loss extends a devastating season for the Ottawa Redblacks,marking their 13th consecutive defeat. This specific losing streak places the franchise in rare company, as it is only the second time in CFL history that a team has opened a campaign with thirteen straight losses,following the 1994 Shreveport Pirates.

Coach Ryan Dinwiddie faces a mounting crisis as the Redblacks struggle to find consistency. While the team managed to keep the score close, the inability to close out games has left their standing in the league in jeopardy. The source highlights that despite the competitive scoreline, the Redblacks' inability to capitalize on opportunities has defined their 2026 campaign.

Justin Hardy's five interceptions and offensive volatility

Quarterback Justin Hardy delivered a statistically impressive but ultimately costly performance for Ottawa. Although Hardy threw for 357 yards, the report notes that he succumbed to his fifth interception in just five games. This high turnover rate has become a primary obstacle for the Redblacks' offensive rhythm.

The Redblacks' offense showed flashes of brilliance, such as the ability to cut the defiicit to a single point late in the game. However, these moments were often undermined by missed opportunities, incuding a 28-yard field goal attempt by Matt Lauther that fell short as time expired. The lack of clinical execution in the red zone continues to be a recurring theme for the Ottawa squad.

The mystery of the Redblacks' conversion failures and altitude struggles

Several critical factors regarding Ottawa's performance remain unverified following the loss at McMahon Stadium. It remains unclear how the coaching staff under Ryan Dinwiddie intends to address the turnover issues stemming from Justin Hardy's recent games. Additionally, the source mentions "rugged early altitude" and "inadequate conversion attempts," but it does not specify if these were due to physical conditioning or tactical errors.

The report also leaves open the question of how the Redblacks' young quarterback roster will adapt to the pressure of late-game situations. While the team showed resiliency , the gap between yardage production and actual scoring remains a significant mystery that the organization must solve to avoid a complete season collapse.