The Ottawa Redblacks ended a 22-game losing streak on Friday by defeating the Toronto Argonauts 40-39. Rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes spearheaded the victory in his first professional start.
A 406-Day Wait Ends with a 40-39 Thriller
The victory marks the first time the Ottawa Redblacks have tasted success in 406 days, moving their season record to 1-16. According to the report, the game was a volatile back-and-forth affair that saw the Redblacks overcome a disastrous start involving a blocked punt by Toronto's Derek Slywka, which Ethan John returned 16 yards for a touchdown.
Despite the early setback, the Ottawa Redblacks maintained composure. The team relied on a balanced attack, including two rushing touchdowns from Daniel Adeboboye and a critical 51-yard field goal from Paul Geelen to keep the game within reach during the third quarter.
Bryson Barnes' 339-Yard Debut and the Dinwiddie Dilemma
Rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes delivered a stellar first start, completing 27 of 37 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns. Barnes also contributed 21 rushing yards during the final game-winning drive, demonstrating a level of poise that had been missing from the Ottawa Redblacks' offense for over a year.
The performance raises significant questions regarding the team's previous personnel choices. As the report noted, previous starters Jake Maier and MacLeod Bethel-Thompson went winless in 12 and 4 starts, respectively. Ottawa Redblacks coach Ryan Dinwiddie defended the delay in starting Barnes, claiming the rookie needed time to develop to reach this current level of performance.
Ayden Eberhardt's 1,000-Yard Milestone and the 30-Second Surge
The game's climax belonged to the connection between Bryson Barnes and receiver Ayden Eberhardt.. With only 30 seconds remaining and the Toronto Argonauts hoolding a 39-33 lead, Barnes orchestrated a three-play drive that ended with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Eberhardt. Paul Geelen then secured the 40-39 win with the convert with six seconds left on the clock.
For Ayden Eberhardt,the game was a personal triumph as well. By recording nine receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns, Eberhardt surpassed the 1,000-receiving-yard mark for the first time in his CFL career. However, Eberhardt stated that the team's first win of the season meant more to him than the individual milestone.
The Luiji Vilain Hit and Chad Kelly's Early Exit
The Toronto Argonauts' hopes were hampered by a significant injury to starting quarterback Chad Kelly. Shortly after returning from a hand injury, Kelly was forced out of the game in the first quarter after being tackled by Ottawa Redblacks defensive end Luiji Vilain. Toronto head coach Mike Miller described the exit as a lower-body injury.
Backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle stepped in and performed admirably, completing 27 of 35 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Despite Arbuckle's efficiency and a late-game surge that saw Toronto score 15 unanswered points in the final three minutes, the Argonauts could not hold the lead.
The October 24 Clash in Hamilton and the Barnes Question
The Ottawa Redblacks will look to carry this momentum into their final game of the season on October 24 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Bryson Barnes is slated to start that contest, providing a gliimpse into the team's potential future at the quarterback position.
While the victory provides closure to a historic losing streak, several points remain unresolved. It is still unclear if Chad Kelly's injury is severe enough to sideline him for the Toronto Argonauts' final regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes. Furthermore, the report only provides Coach Dinwiddie's perspective on the delayed deployment of Barnes, leaving fans to wonder if the rookie's success is a result of development or a missed opportunity for earlier wins.
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