Winless Redblacks desperate to end home campaign on high note

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson lies on the field briefly after being hit by B.C. Lions' Lorenzo Mauldin IV, not seen, while passing the ball during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

It has been 406 days since Ottawa Redblacks fans last saw a win at TD Place. And they may have to wait a lot longer if the Redblacks (0-16) can’t snap a 22-game losing streak Friday night when they host the Toronto Argonauts (9-7) in their last home game of the season.

Ottawa hasn’t won a game since Sept. 5, 2025, which also marked the last time they won at home.

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie would love to give fans a win, but he also wants to evaluate some players as he looks ahead to next season.

“We want to play good for our home crowd,” Dinwiddie said. “We talked about it this morning, like let’s go out there and finish it on the right note. It’s a chance for us to put some smiles on some of our fans’ faces and in that locker room, go get a win.”

Asked if he’s concerned about his own future, Dinwiddie said, “Not right now.”

“I’ve got to do a better job of helping this club win the football games,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re not where we want to be.”

Bryson Barnes will get his first start under centre Friday. The 25-year-old comes in having completed 10-of-13 passes for 110 yards and one interception. He’s played a key role in short yardage and has scored nine rushing touchdowns.

Barnes says he’s trying not to get caught up in what’s at stake both for him and the team.

“I told the guys today just go out there, take it one play at a time, regardless of what that scoreboard looks like,” said Barnes. “Go out there, try to win each rep, try to win each play, and if you lose one play get right up to the next play and try to win that one.”

Ottawa will be without top receiver Justin Hardy, who was banged up following last week’s loss to B.C.

Hardy has 4,910 career receiving yards and was looking to hit the 5,000-yard milestone.

Dinwiddie said not having Hardy, whom he referred to as a “security blanket,” will be tough.

Receiver Grant DuBose will get his first start in Hardy’s place.

“No matter the record we all have a job to do,” DuBose said. “Honestly it’s just being intentional about our craft, about our work and just keep scratching and keep clawing away at it and trying to find a way to get a win. That’s the mentality we have in the room and we’re going to keep doing it.”

Chad Kelly will return from a hand injury and is listed as the starting quarterback for the Argonauts, who have clinched second place in the East.

ARGONAUTS (9-7) AT REDBLACKS (0-16)

I’M COMING FOR YOU: Toronto’s Adarius Pickett needs one more defensive tackle to reach 100 for the second time in his career.

WATCH ME: Ottawa’s Kalil Pimpleton leads the CFL with 2,951 all-purpose yards and will be looking to reach 3,000. Only 10 different players have ever had 3,000 combined yards in a single season.

WATCH MY MOVES: With 4,737 yards, Argos returner Janarion Grant needs just nine punt-return yards to pass Stefan Logan (4,746) for fifth on the CFL’s all-time list.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press