Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson will make his first start of the season as Ottawa (0-12), which has lost 18 consecutive games, faces Calgary Stampeders (5-8). Both teams need a win: Calgary is fighting to stay in playoff contention and currently trails Winnipeg and B.C. Lions by four points for the third playoff spot in the West Division.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
McLeod Bethel-Thompson will start for the Ottawa Redblacks when they face the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night. The Redblacks, currently at 0-12, are tied with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the longest losing streak in modern Canadian Football League (CFL) history, having lost their last 18 games. Calgary, sitting at 5-8 and fifth in the West Division, is also in dire need of a win to stay competitive in the playoff race. They are currently four points behind the third-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions, both with records of 7-6. Calgary’s upcoming games include crucial matches against Saskatchewan on October 2nd and Winnipeg on October 10th, followed by a home game against B.C. on October 17th. These games are critical for the Stampeders to secure their playoff position.
Written for “Canadian Football Season Contests” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Bethel-Thompson will make his first start of the season when Ottawa (0-12) visits the Calgary Stampeders (5-8) on Saturday night.
asserted
Ottawa → make → night
The Redblacks have dropped 18 straight games dating back to 2025, a CFL modern-era record for consecutive defeats.
asserted
Redblacks → drop → defeats
But Calgary also desperately needs a victory.
asserted
Calgary → need → victory
The Stampeders are coming off consecutive losses to the Edmonton Elks and stand fifth in the West Division, four points behind the third-place Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) and B.C. Lions (7-6).
asserted
Stampeders → come → Bombers
Right now, Winnipeg, B.C. and Calgary have more wins than the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-9), who are third in the East Division.
asserted
who → have → Division
The Stamps can make the playoffs by finishing third in the West or by finishing fourth with more points than the East’s third-place team.
asserted
Stamps → make → team
This game starts an important stretch for Calgary.
asserted
game → start → Calgary
After completing a home-and-home with Ottawa on Sept. 26, the Stampeders will finish their regular season visiting Saskatchewan (Oct. 2) and Winnipeg (Oct. 10) before hosting B.C. (Oct. 17).
asserted
Stampeders → complete → B.C.
Calgary lost its first meeting this season with Saskatchewan in overtime and is 1-1 versus both Winnipeg and B.C.
Bethel-Thompson replaced starter Jake Maier in the second quarter of Ottawa’s 26-23 road loss to Toronto last week.
asserted
Thompson → lose → Toronto
Bethel-Thompson provided a definite spark, completing 16-of-23 passes for 192 yards and a TD, but the Redblacks couldn’t take full advantage of two late opportunities that allowed the Argonauts to earn their second win in five days.
asserted
Argonauts → provide → days
Ottawa had to settle for a Brett Lauther field goal following Kalil Pimpleton’s 88-yard punt return to the Argos’ 17-yard line that made it 23-23 at 10:09 of the fourth quarter.
asserted
it → have → quarter
After a Toronto two-and-out, the Redblacks took over at the home team’s 53-yard line, but Ralph Holley’s second-down sack of Bethel-Thompson knocked the visitors out of field-goal range.
asserted
sack → take → range
Lirim Hajrullahu’s game-ending 29-yard field goal capped a stellar 12-play, 74-yard march by Toronto (7-6), which took possession at its 14-yard line with 2:25 remaining.
asserted
which → end → 2:25
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The Redblacks were eliminated from playoff contention with last week’s loss.
asserted
Redblacks → get → loss
So now, their primary focus is earning a victory.
asserted
focus → earn → victory
Calgary’s Labour Day finale versus Edmonton last week was one to forget.
asserted
finale → forget → Edmonton
Starter Vernon Adams Jr. threw two first-half interceptions while the Elks recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown en route to a 53-16 victory.
asserted
Elks → throw → victory
Calgary defensive lineman Clarence Hicks did register two sacks, giving him a CFL-high 11 this season.
asserted
Hicks → register → 11
And veteran receiver Reggie Begelton returned for his first game since suffering a knee injury versus Toronto on June 18, 2025.
asserted
Begelton → return → June
Begelton was targeted five times and finished the contest with two catches for 25 yards.
asserted
Begelton → target → yards
At Hamilton, the Ticats come off the bye having suffered three straight losses.
asserted
Ticats → come → losses
Canadian Tre Ford (head) resumed practising this week after being forced from the Labour Day clash with Toronto but will back up Harrison Frost, who’ll make his third start of the season.
asserted
who → resume → season
Frost completed 16-of-28 passes for 218 yards with two TDs and an interception in the 37-22 home loss to the Argos.
asserted
Frost → complete → Argos
Montreal (10-3) has dropped two of its last three games, including last week’s 48-29 road decision to B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 317 yards and a TD
asserted
Rourke → drop → TD
Edmonton Elks vs Toronto Argonauts (Saturday afternoon)
At Toronto, Edmonton (10-3) has won four straight and clinched its first playoff berth since 2019.
asserted
Edmonton → win → 2019
Cody Fajardo threw three TD passes in last week’s home victory over the Stampeders, two going to Joe Robustelli.
asserted
two → throw → Robustelli
Joshua Cephus had six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown while Tyrell Ford recorded his league-high sixth pick.
asserted
Ford → have → pick
The Argos (7-6) can clinch a home playoff game with a third straight win and a Hamilton loss Friday night.
asserted
Argos → clinch → win
Chad Kelly leads the CFL in passing (4,404 yards), TDs (29) and interceptions (20).
asserted
Kelly → lead → passing
The Double Blue is 3-0 since returning to BMO Field but 3-4 versus the West and 0-1 against the Elks.
asserted
Blue → return → Elks
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2026.
asserted
report → publish → Press
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