Comeback attempt falls short as Redblacks drop CFL season opener

Ottawa Redblacks receiver Kalil Pimpleton (83) has his helmet knocked off after a tackle by Saskatchewan Roughriders players during the first half of CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on June 5, 2025. Photo by Kayle Neis /Postmedia NetworkArticle content

The Ottawa Redblacks had a good start and finish in their 2025 CFL season opener.

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It was what happened in between that spoiled their night.

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In a 31-26 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, the Redbacks, who outscored the home team 19-0 combined in the first and fourth quarters, lost the second and third quarters by a 31-7 count.

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Part of their undoing can be attributed to the Redblacks’ undisciplined play, as they were penalized 11 times for 121 yards.

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The rest can be blamed on a hole they dug and couldn’t escape.

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Dru Brown completed 34 of 41 pass attempts for 413 yards and two touchdowns while playing through what looked to be some type of hip injury in the fourth quarter.

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Justin Hardy caught eight of those passes for 133 yards and a score, while newcomers to the Ottawa offence also made their mark.

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With the Redblacks trailing 24-7 late in the third quarter, Brown hit Eugene Lewis with an eight-yard scoring pass that extended the veteran receiver’s streak of games with a touchdown reception to nine.

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Lewis can tie the CFL record, held by former great Terry Evanshen, next Friday when the Redblacks host the Montreal Alouettes in their home opener.

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William Stanback, another new addition to the Redblacks’ offence who, like Lewis, used to play for the Alouettes, also scored in the fourth quarter of his Ottawa debut.

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The point after attempt that followed the Stanback score was botched when the holder, Richie Leone, couldn’t get the ball in place for Lewis Ward.

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That missed point had its implications.

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When Justin Hardy hauled in a 27-yard TD pass from Brown with 4:20 left, the Redblacks trailed by five instead of four. That led to the decision for a two-point attempt, which was unsuccessful.

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But the Redblacks were able to get the ball right back when cornerback Adrian Frye, a late replacement for the injured Alijah McGhee, stripped the ball from receiver KeeSean Johnson near midfield for his second forced turnover of the game.

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Ottawa’s offence, however, could not take advantage of the opportunity.

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After the unimaginable hiccup of a time count violation before the first offensive snap of the season, Brown completed seven consecutive passes while orchestrating a textbook opening drive that consisted of 11 plays and covered 70 yards, culminating in a touchdown plunge by Dustin Crum.