Maier throws for over 300 yards as Stampeders spoil Redblacks’ residence opener

OTTAWA — It was removed from good however the Calgary Stampeders have been very happy to go away the nation’s capital with a win.

Calgary spoiled the Ottawa Redblacks’ residence opener with a 26-15 victory at TD Place on Thursday. Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson was the primary to confess that there have been far too many penalties (10), turnovers (three) and simply total errors, however stated profitable can masks loads of these points.

“We actually didn’t play ok in all probability to win, however the effort was so good,” stated Dickenson. “And our playmakers confirmed up.”

Calgary (1-1) additionally benefited from a strong efficiency from quarterback Jake Maier, who threw for 304 yards on 19-of-28 passing with one speeding landing and one interception.

Maier was trying to redeem himself after final week’s loss to the BC Lions.

“ it’s not about me,” Maier stated. “It’s about our group and the way nicely we will play and we performed higher this week as a gaggle and we have to play even higher subsequent week.”

It might be a brand new season for the Redblacks however it was a lot of the identical because the crew did not win at residence but once more. Ottawa has now misplaced 24 of its final 26 at residence.

Redblacks followers will now have to attend till June 30 to see if Ottawa might earn a house win once they face the Edmonton Elks following an upcoming bye week.

Nick Arbuckle began the sport at QB for Ottawa however was changed by Tyrie Adams late within the second quarter after a subpar efficiency.

Arbuckle was 13-of-21 for 72 yards and one interception, whereas Adams went 7-of-13 for 88 yards.

It additionally marked the second straight recreation Ottawa failed to attain an offensive landing.

Lewis Ward had two area targets, whereas Brandin Dandridge had a powerful 79-yard punt return and Richie Leone kicked a single. A two-point convert on Dandridge’s TD rounded out the scoring.

5 turnovers proved to be far too expensive to beat for Ottawa.

“What’s irritating is that in some methods we’re beating ourselves versus the opponent beating us,” stated Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce. “We talked at halftime that we needed to exit and take this recreation and it didn’t make a distinction what they have been doing, we needed to exit and take the sport.”

Ottawa trailed 15-12 on the half and solely managed to provide you with two area targets within the second half.

“We have now to be higher as coaches, clearly,” stated Dyce. “All of it begins with us as coaches and we now have to do a greater job. It’s our job to place these guys ready to win and we haven’t performed that.”

After a tough begin, trailing 15-4 with 44 seconds left within the opening half, the Redblacks salvaged the opening half because of Dandridge’s punt return. A two-point conversion made it a three-point recreation as Ottawa trailed 15-12.

Calgary prolonged its result in 22-12 halfway by way of the third quarter when Maier capped a strong drive by punching in a two-yard TD.

Adams drove the Redblacks into the redzone, however Ottawa was compelled to accept a 21-yard area purpose by Ward with 4:16 left within the fourth quarter.

“It’s very irritating,” stated Adams. “Each loss is irritating, however this one hits a bit more durable as a result of that is the primary recreation since I’ve been within the CFL the place I really feel I underperformed, the place I wasn’t as constant as I’ve been.”

Rene Paredes adopted with a 14-yard area purpose — the 499th of his profession — to make it 26-15 for the Stampeders with 2:32 remaining.

The Redblacks began the sport robust with a gap drive that bought them all the way down to Calgary’s four-yard line however did not take benefit, even going for it on third down.

Within the last minute of the primary quarter, Calgary was capable of march down area and Mills accomplished the drive working in a three-yard TD and with a two-point convert led 8-1.

Calgary prolonged its benefit after Adams fumbled the ball at Ottawa’s 26-yard line, permitting Branden Dozier to run the ball again for a second Stampeders TD, making it 15-1.

Peyton Logan’s fumble on a punt return gave Ottawa possession at Calgary’s 11-yard line, however the Redblacks did not convert and settled for a 13-yard area purpose.

Adam Auclair’s interception gave the Redblacks one other alternative. However on the subsequent play, Arbuckle made a poor determination and was intercepted, resulting in his substitute.