Hajrullahu's last-second field goal lifts Argonauts over winless Redblacks in dramatic finish

The Toronto Argonauts extended their dominance over the Ottawa Redblacks with a dramatic 26-23 victory Saturday afternoon, sealed by Lirim Hajrullahu's 29-yard field goal as time expired. The win came after a tense final drive that saw Toronto march 74 yards in 12 plays to set up the decisive kick, while Ottawa's winless streak stretched to 18 games dating back to 2025 in what has become a historically difficult season for the nation's capital franchise.

Late-game execution proves decisive

With 2:25 remaining and the game tied 23-23, Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly took possession at his own 14-yard line and methodically moved the chains against an Ottawa defense that had brought 11 new faces to the active roster for this contest. Kelly completed critical passes to position Hajrullahu for his fourth successful field goal attempt of the afternoon, continuing Toronto's recent success against Ottawa with their fifth win in the last six meetings between the East Division rivals.

The Redblacks had briefly tied the game earlier in the fourth quarter when Brett Lauther connected on a 21-yard field goal at 10:09, set up by Kalil Pimpleton's explosive 88-yard punt return to the Toronto 17-yard line that electrified the crowd of 12,494 at BMO Field. Lauther had earlier pulled Ottawa within 23-20 with a 28-yard field goal at 7:21 of the fourth quarter, capping a seesaw battle that featured six lead changes before Hajrullahu's final strike.

Quarterback contrasts define contest

Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly delivered another standout performance despite two interceptions, completing 35 of 42 passes for 443 yards with two touchdowns. The performance extended his CFL-leading totals to 29 touchdown passes this season, though his two picks against Ottawa also pushed his league-high turnover count to 20. Kelly's ability to rebound from those mistakes proved crucial, particularly his 21-yard touchdown strike to Damonte Coxie just one minute into the second half that gave Toronto a 23-17 lead after Ottawa's Luiji Vilain blocked the convert attempt.

Ottawa's quarterback situation told a different story. Starter Jake Maier suffered his 12th straight defeat, extending his CFL record for most losses by a starting quarterback to begin a season before being replaced in the second quarter after completing just 7 of 10 passes for 42 yards. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson provided a temporary spark off the bench, completing 16 of 23 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. The former Argonaut and two-time Grey Cup champion engineered a 70-yard, 13-play drive in the second quarter that ended with Bryson Barnes' 1-yard touchdown run, and later connected with Keelan White on a 28-yard scoring strike in the third quarter.

Historic struggles continue for Ottawa

Ottawa's loss extended their modern-era CFL record for consecutive defeats to 18 games while dropping them to 0-12 this season, despite making significant roster changes ahead of the contest. The team activated 12 new players including 11 on defense, but couldn't reverse their fortunes in a game that saw them squander opportunities created by defensive back King Ambers' two first-half interceptions that halted promising Toronto drives.

The Redblacks' offensive struggles were particularly apparent in the first half, managing just 7 points despite Ambers' takeaways. His first interception came at the Ottawa 12-yard line to stop an 11-play, 68-yard Toronto drive in the first quarter, while his second pick in the end zone during the second quarter prevented another scoring opportunity. These defensive stands were ultimately wasted as Ottawa couldn't capitalize with sustained offensive production.

Special teams provide fireworks

The game featured several key special teams plays beyond Hajrullahu's game-winner. The Toronto kicker opened scoring just 12 seconds into the game with a 98-yard kickoff for a single, and finished with four field goals (from 25, 23, 35 and 29 yards), a single and a convert. His 23-yard field goal to end the second quarter tied the game 7-7 at halftime after Ottawa had taken their brief lead.

Ottawa's Brett Lauther matched Hajrullahu's production with three field goals (from 46, 28 and 21 yards) and two converts. His 46-yard field goal at 12:32 of the third quarter tied the game 17-17 after Kelly had staked Toronto to a 17-14 lead with a 34-yard touchdown pass to David Ungerer III at 10:21 of the third. Pimpleton's 88-yard punt return in the fourth quarter nearly turned the game for Ottawa, setting up what appeared to be a potential winning drive before Toronto's final possession.

Coaching narratives collide

The game marked Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie's first return to BMO Field since leaving Toronto for Ottawa, creating a stark contrast between his current situation and his previous success. During his five seasons leading the Argonauts, Dinwiddie compiled a 51-35 overall record including a 30-13 mark at BMO Field, won two Grey Cups (2022, 2024) and earned CFL Coach of the Year honors in 2023 after guiding Toronto to a club-record 16 wins while reaching the East Division final four times.

That successful tenure stands in sharp relief to Ottawa's current struggles, as the Redblacks continue searching for answers during their historic skid. Dinwiddie's homecoming underscored how quickly fortunes can change in the CFL, with his former team continuing to find ways to win close games while his current squad can't buy a victory despite roster shakeups and quarterback changes.

Playoff implications and future questions

Toronto's victory keeps them firmly in the East Division playoff hunt at 7-6, demonstrating their ability to win close games against struggling opponents - a necessary trait for postseason success. The Argonauts showed offensive firepower when needed while overcoming turnovers, suggesting they could be a dangerous team if they clean up mistakes as the season progresses.

For Ottawa, the loss raises deeper questions about roster construction and development as their historic losing streak reaches new proportions. The quarterback carousel between Maier and Bethel-Thompson hasn't provided answers, while defensive changes haven't produced enough stops against quality opponents. As both teams prepare for the stretch run, Toronto appears positioned to contend while Ottawa faces increasingly difficult questions about how to rebuild a competitive roster and break their record-setting slump.