Ward kicks another walkoff to make Masoli a winner in his return

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It took a little time for Jeremiah Masoli to shake off the rust, but once he got going he helped keep the Redblacks rolling.

Also starring for Ottawa, once again, was kicker Lewis Ward, whose 51-yard field goal with zero time on the clock represented his third walk-off winner of the season in a 31-29 victory over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Thursday night.

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The win stretched the Redblacks’ unbeaten streak to five and, at 6-2-1, they have a three-point lead over the Toronto Argos for second place in the East as well as the second-best record in the CFL.

Only the division-leading Montreal Alouettes have a better mark at 8-1-0.

Making his first start in 13 months and just his sixth in two years, the 35-year-old quarterback connected on 27-of-35 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown, without no interceptions.

Filling in for injured starter Dru Brown, Masoli was off the mark on his timing through the early part of the night, but he was able to grind his way past struggles and keep the ball moving forward.

Trailing by one with 1:24 left and in a third and three situation on the Calgary 46, head coach Bob Dyce elected to gamble rather than send Ward out for what would have been a field goal attempt from about 52 yards.

Masoli missed with a short pass attempt and it looked like the Redblacks were cooked, but the defence stepped up, forced the Stamps into a two-and-out, and gave Masoli the ball back with 48 seconds left with the ball on the Ottawa 26.

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Masoli connected with a pair of his former Hamilton Tiger-Cat teammates, Jaelon Acklin and Bralon Addison, to help set Ward up for another dramatic finish.

The Redblacks had a 12-point lead in the third quarter but Calgary hung tough and finally pulled to within two with the third touchdown of the night by short yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens just past the midway part of the fourth quarter.

Rene Paredes connected on a 48-yard field goal with 2:23 left, marking the fifth lead change of the night by pulling Calgary ahead.

The Redblacks trailed 14-13 after one quarter but turned that into a 21-16 lead heading into the intermission.

Ottawa running back Ryquell Armstead was the star of the first two halves with seven carries for 86 yards and a touchdown as well as three catches for 22 yards.

“I’m having a ball,” Armstead told TSN’s Farhan Lalji at the break.

Masoli completed 12 of 15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown through two quarters.

His first possession started on the Calgary 23 after Redblacks linebacker Frankie Griffin recovered a fumble on the opening snap.

The Redblacks couldn’t get in the end zone with the opportunity — Masoli completed two passes for net three yards — but they did set up Lewis Ward for a first-blood field goal.

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Calgary’s two first-half touchdowns were set up by long passes from Maier to Ishmael Hyman, who was playing in his third CFL game.

Hyman beat Brandin Dandridge and Alijah McGhee – Ottawa’s two best corners who were playing their first game together this season – on the plays that led to one-yard scoring plunges by Stevens.

Armstead scored on a strong 25-yard gallop in the first quarter while DeVonte Dedmon, seeing a rare opportunity as a receiver, had the other Ottawa opening half TD on a passing play that covered nine yards.

Masoli was at his creative best on that one, scrambling around before shot-putting the pass to Dedmon.

The Redblacks are home next Friday to take on Nathan Rourke and the B.C. Lions.

dbrennan@postmedia.com

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