Walk-off field goal gives Argos win over REDBLACKS

CFL | American Football | 09/13/2026

Photo: Kevin Sousa/CFL.ca

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts earned a hard-fought win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the first game of Saturday’s Forty Creek Quadruple Header. Lirim Hajrullahu’s walk-off field goal was the difference in the 26-23 Toronto victory at BMO Field.

Chad Kelly bounced back in the second half after throwing two interceptions before halftime, both of which going to Ottawa’s King Ambers. Kelly delivered touchdown passes to David Ungerer III and Damonte Coxie after the break and led the game-winning drive after Ottawa were forced to punt the football away with their final possession.

Kelly completed 35 of 42 passes for 443 yards to go with his two touchdowns and pair of picks. David Ungerer III put up 175 yards on seven receptions while Tyler Kahmann also eclipsed the century mark with eight catches for 105 yards.

Ottawa fought hard as they come out of Week 15 still searching for their first win of the season. The visitors couldn’t close out a game which featured four lead changes and three ties.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson replaced Jake Maier at quarterback in the second quarter and led the offence to consecutive touchdown drives. Bryson Barnes worked across the goal line from a yard out at the end of the first half. After the break, Bethel-Thompson fired a 28-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White, putting the visitors into a 14-10 lead.

An 88-yard punt return from Kalil Pimpleton led to a Lauther field goal, tying things up at 23-23 with less than five minutes to go, but Kelly and his offence were clinical with the game’s final possession. Kelly led his group to field goal range and then Hajrullahu made no mistake from 29 yards out with the last play of the game.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished 16-23 with 192 passing yards and a touchdown. Four Ottawa receivers had four catches or more while Justin Hardy led the team with 51 yards on two receptions.

» Depth Charts: OTT | TOR » Game Notes: REDBLACKS at Argonauts » Injury Reports: Stay up to date

SCORING PLAYS

Lirim Hajrullahu 98-yard kickoff single (15:00, Q1) | TOR 1, OTT 0
Lirim Hajrullahu 25-yard field goal (6:52, Q2) | TOR 4, OTT 0
Bryson Barnes one-yard rushing touchdown (1:54, Q2) | OTT 7, TOR 4
Lirim Hajrullahu 23-yard field goal (00:00, Q2) | OTT 7, TOR 7
Lirim Hajrullahu 35-yard field goal (10:29, Q3) | TOR 10, OTT 7
McLeod Bethel-Thompson 28-yard touchdown pass to Keelan White (7:47, Q3) | OTT 14, TOR 10
Chad Kelly 34-yard touchdown pass to David Ungerer III (4:44, Q3) | TOR 17, OTT 14
Brett Lauther 46-yard field goal (2:31, Q3) | TOR 17, OTT 17
Chad Kelly 21-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie (14:04, Q4) | TOR 23, OTT 17
Brett Lauther 28-yard field goal (7:39, Q4) | TOR 23, OTT 20
Brett Lauther 21-yard field goal (4:51, Q4) | TOR 23, OTT 23
Lirim Hajrullahu 29-yard field goal (00:00, Q4) | TOR 26, OTT 23

NEXT UP

The Argonauts will remain at home for a Week 16 tilt with the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, September 19. The Argos have dropped three of their past four meetings with the Elks, including a 42-12 loss back in Week 11.

Later on Saturday, the REDBLACKS will take on the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium for the first matchup between the two clubs this season. The REDBLACKS have won five straight games against the Stamps.

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