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Walk-off field goal lifts Stampeders to thrilling win over REDBLACKS

Game DaySep 19, 2026
CFL.ca Staff
Walk-off field goal lifts Stampeders to thrilling win over REDBLACKS

Leah Hennel/CFL.ca

Jalen Philpot celebrates with teammates in the end zone.

CALGARY — Rene Paredes delivered from 62 yards out in the final seconds to lift the Calgary Stampeders to a thrilling 40-38 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday evening. The fourth quarter featured three lead changes but Paredes' game-winning kick put Calgary on top for good as they got back to winning ways at home.

Just when it looked like the Ottawa REDBLACKS were on course for their first win of the season after the visitors went ahead 38-37 courtesy of a McLeod Bethel-Thompson touchdown pass to Justin Hardy with less than 90 seconds on the clock, Calgary answered back with the decisive blow.

An illegible receiver penalty actually went against the Stamps on their final drive, making it third-and-twenty for the home team and a field goal attempt hopeful at best, but Paredes made it four-for-four on the evening to give Calgary a much-needed win, keeping them in the West Division playoff conversation.

Keelan White scored three touchdowns on three catches but that wouldn't be enough for the now 0-13 REDBLACKS who have fallen to walk-off field goals in back-to-back weeks. Ottawa went into Saturday's contest having claimed five in a row against Calgary, but the REDBLACKS couldn't get over the line in this one. They will be hunting for an elusive first win of the season in the second half of their home-and-home series with the Stamps next week.

Midway through the fourth quarter White's third touchdown of the evening put Ottawa into their first lead of the second half but Adams Jr. and the Stamps marched the other way and Adams delivered to Jalen Philpot for a 26-yard score just before the three-minute warning.

The first of Ottawa's two possessions on the other side of the three-minute warning resulted in an interception after a pass from Bethel-Thompson bounced off the mitts of Hardy and into the path of a grateful Zy Alexander, leading to a Paredes field goal. Down 37-31 and needing a touchdown, two pass interference penalties against the Stamps helped Bethel-Thompson and the Stamps get a crucial score courtesy of Hardy, but Paredes put things right for Calgary on their final possession.

Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 357 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while Quincy Vaughn ran in for a pair of majors. Deonta McMahon reached 102 yards rushing on 15 carries while both Philpot and Tevin Jones surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark. Each pass-catcher also caught a touchdown.

Ottawa head coach Ryan Dinwiddie named McLeod Bethel-Thompson the Week 16 starter after the veteran quarterback nearly led the REDBLACKS to a win against the Argonauts in Week 15. It was close yet again in Week 16, with Bethel-Thompson throwing for five touchdowns on 379 yards passing to go with his late interception. Justin Hardy caught 12 passes for 129 yards and touchdown in the losing effort.

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SCORING PLAYS

  • Quincy Vaughn one-yard rushing touchdown (5:24, Q1) | CGY 7, OTT 0

  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson 19-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White (2:58, Q2) | CGY 7, OTT 7

  • Rene Paredes 57-yard field goal (1:53, Q2) | CGY 10, OTT 7

  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson 25-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White (0:59, Q2) | OTT 14, CGY 10

  • Vernon Adams Jr. 60-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Jones (0:36, Q2) | CGY 17, OTT 14

  • Quincy Vaughn three-yard rushing touchdown (5:36, Q3) | CGY 24, OTT 14

  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson 28-yard touchdown pass to Kalil Pimpleton (3:43, Q3) | CGY 24, OTT 21

  • Brett Lauther 37-yard field goal (13:12, Q4) | CGY 24, OTT 24

  • Rene Paredes 23-yard field goal (8:53, Q4) | CGY 27, OTT 24

  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson 19-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White (7:07, Q2) | OTT 31, CGY 27

  • Vernon Adams Jr. 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Philpot (3:51, Q4) | CGY 34, OTT 31

  • Rene Paredes 19-yard field goal (2:08, Q4) | CGY 37, OTT 31

  • McLeod Bethel-Thompson 15-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hardy (1:17, Q4) | OTT 38, CGY 37

  • Rene Paredes 62-yard field goal (00:02, Q4) | CGY 40, OTT 38

NEXT UP

The Stampeders and REDBLACKS will go head-to-head once again in Week 17 , this time in the nation's capital. That rematch is scheduled for Saturday, September 26.