Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeat Ottawa Redblacks 34-16 to snap skid
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 34-16 on Friday night at TD Place Stadium, snapping a five-game losing skid and handing Ottawa its CFL-record 21st consecutive loss. The result drops Ottawa to an 0-15 start to the season, breaking the previous modern-day futility mark set by the Shreveport Pirates in 1994.
Ottawa’s latest defeat sets a modern-day CFL record for consecutive losses at 21 dating back to last season. TSN noted that the Redblacks entered the contest as betting favourites for the first time this year, but their defense struggled once again after allowing at least 40 points in four of their previous five games.
“It just shows how much fight we still have,” Lawler said of his team’s resilience after the victory, according to Sportsnet.
The Tiger-Cats offense capitalized on a stagnant Ottawa attack in the second half, holding the Redblacks to just three total first downs and zero in the third quarter while limiting them to only six offensive plays in that frame. Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie took blame for the collapse, admitting to reporters that he failed to call a strong second half and should have simplified his play-calling.
Redblacks face final three games without a win
Ottawa quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished the night completing 17 of 31 passes for 208 yards against a stout Hamilton defense. Bethel-Thompson told reporters that the team simply had their “butts kicked in the second half offensively” and called the outcome deeply frustrating.
The Redblacks have three games remaining on their schedule to avoid completing the first winless season in the modern era of the CFL. Ottawa travels to face the B.C. Lions next week, returns home to host the Toronto Argonauts, and concludes the regular season with a matchup in Hamilton.
Frequently asked questions about the game
How did Kenny Lawler mark a personal milestone during the game?
Lawler caught his 400th career CFL reception and celebrated afterward by writing a message on his game jersey, handing it to his younger brother Kenzel Lawler—an American defensive back with the Redblacks—and sharing a hug at centre field.
What record did the Ottawa Redblacks set with this loss?
The Redblacks dropped to an 0-15 record on the season, overtaking the Shreveport Pirates’ 0-14 start from 1994 for the worst start to a CFL campaign, while also stretching their overall losing streak to 21 games.
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