Redblacks snap four-game skid with 31-11 win over Stampeders

By Canadian Press on July 31, 2025.

OTTAWA — Dru Brown threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns as the Ottawa Redblacks snapped a four-game losing streak with a hard-fought 31-11 win over the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday night.

It marked the Redblacks’ (2-6) first win at TD Place this season.

The Stampeders (5-3), playing without starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., dropped their second straight.

Calgary came in with one of the league’s stingiest defences, having allowed just eight offensive touchdowns all season but surrendered two in the first half. They tightened up significantly in the second half.

Brown was solid in the first half, going 13-of-19 passing for 174 yards and two touchdowns. However, he struggled in the second getting picked off once and sacked twice to finish 19 for 27.

P.J. Walker’s first CFL start under centre was challenging.

The 30-year-old finished the night 30-of-57 passing for 273 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

The Redblacks added to their lead early in the fourth quarter after Alijah McGhee picked off Walker and ran the ball back 61 yards to make it 24-4.

Walker redeemed himself shortly after with a 29-yard TD pass to Dominique Rhymes to make it 24-11.

Pinned deep in their own end late in the game, Calgary gambled on third-and-10 and came up short, turning the ball over on downs. Ottawa wasted no time capitalizing, as Dustin Crum punched in a one-yard touchdown on the very next play making it 31-11.

Calgary settled for a single after Rene Paredes missed a 31-yard field goal attempt early in the second half.

The Redblacks held a 17-3 lead at halftime for just the third time this season, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Brown to Justin Hardy.

The Redblacks made life difficult for Walker, who was picked off twice in the opening half.

Ottawa overcame a slow start, going without a first down until the final minute of the first quarter, but made the most of its first drive, taking a 7-3 lead on a 12-yard strike to Hardy.

Brown connected with Hardy again late in the second quarter, this time from 15 yards out, after the receiver was left wide open in the end zone.

Paredes opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal, to reach 600 for his career.

UP NEXT

Stampeders: Host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday, Aug. 9.

Redblacks: Visit the Toronto Argonauts Saturday, Aug. 9

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press