The Ottawa Redblacks secured a thrilling victory over the Toronto Argonauts with a narrow 40-39 win at TD Place on Friday night, breaking their 22-game losing streak dating back to the previous season. Rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes, making his CFL debut, played a pivotal role in leading Ottawa to their first win of the season and first home victory since September 5, 2025.
Barnes showcased his talent by completing 27 of 37 passes for 335 yards and tossing two touchdowns to Ayden Eberhardt for the Redblacks (1-16). On the other side, Nick Arbuckle stepped up for the Argonauts (9-8), going 26-for-34 for 305 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception after Chad Kelly exited the game early in the first quarter due to an injury sustained from a tackle by Ottawa’s Luiji Vilain.
In a thrilling fourth quarter, Toronto briefly took a 39-33 lead with 30 seconds remaining, only for Barnes to orchestrate a game-tying drive, connecting with Eberhardt for a 24-yard touchdown. Paul Geelen’s successful conversion gave Ottawa the lead with just six seconds left. The Redblacks’ defense sealed the win by intercepting Arbuckle to regain possession and secure the victory.
The game was marked by back-and-forth scoring, with both teams delivering impressive drives and responding to each other’s touchdowns. Ottawa initially took a 33-24 lead on Barnes’s first CFL touchdown pass to Eberhardt, but Arbuckle quickly answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital to narrow the gap to 33-31. The game saw multiple lead changes and exciting plays, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Overall, the Redblacks’ resilient performance and Barnes’ standout debut ensured a memorable and long-awaited victory for Ottawa, ending their losing streak in dramatic fashion.