Barnes shines as REDBLACKS earn first victory of season with win over Argonauts

OTTAWA -- The Ottawa REDBLACKS have done it.

After setting the record for the worst start in CFL history at 0-16, the Ottawa REDBLACKS won their first game of the 2026 season with a 40-39 win over the Toronto Argonauts Friday night at TD Place Stadium.

Rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes shined in his first career start, as the 25-year-old completed 27-of-37 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns while adding seven carries for 62 yards on the ground.

It was a points-filled first half, but the first score of the game came from neither offence, but instead from Toronto's special teams. A blocked punt by Derek Slywka led to Canadian rookie Ethan John recovering the ball and waltzing into the end zone as the Argos took an early lead.

On the ensuing possession, Barnes and Ottawa's offence responded. The pivot led a drive with nice passes to receivers Ayden Eberhardt and Kalil Pimpleton, which was capped off by former Argonaut Daniel Adeboboye finding the end zone.

Toronto's next offensive trip brought unfortunate news on the injury front, as starting quarterback Chad Kelly suffered a lower body injury and was ruled out for the game. In came backup and 2024 Grey Cup MVP Nick Arbuckle, who led the Argos' offence down to the red zone, with rookie back Cam Porter capping off the drive with his first career major to give Toronto the lead back.

A couple of Paul Geelen field goals evened things up before Toronto's Lirim Hajrullahu re-took the lead for the Argonauts. Barnes and the REDBLACKS responded once again, however, with Adeboboye running in his second of the day against his former team as Ottawa took a seven-point lead into the break.

Toronto erased Ottawa's lead late in the third quarter as a big-time completion from Arbuckle to Kevin Mital evened things up, before a fourth Geelen field goal gave the REDBLACKS a three-point lead heading into the final frame.

Ottawa extended their lead in the fourth quarter as Barnes' first career passing touchdown landed in the hands of Eberhardt, as the team held a two-score lead midway through the fourth.

Toronto didn't go down without a fight, however, as Arbuckle connected with Mital for another outstanding touchdown pass, before an Isaiah Smith rushing touchdown gave the Argos the lead with 30 seconds remaining.

That was more than enough time for Barnes and Ottawa's unit, as a 24-second drive capped off by Eberhardt's second major of the quarter gave the REDBLACKS their first win of the season.

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» Depth Charts: TOR | OTT » Game Notes: Argonauts at REDBLACKS » Toronto, Ottawa by the numbers » Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and Internationally

SCORING PLAYS

• Ethan John blocked punt recovery (11:33, Q1) | TOR 6, OTT 0

• Daniel Adeboboye one-yard touchdown run (07:28) | OTT 7, TOR 6

• Paul Geelen 20-yard field goal (00:51, Q1) | OTT 10, TOR 6

• Cameron Porter one-yard rushing touchdown (12:21, Q2) | TOR 13, OTT 10

• Paul Geelen 40-yard field goal (07:09, Q2) | TOR 13, OTT 13

• Lirim Hajrullahu 43-yard field goal (03:24, Q2) | TOR 16, OTT 13

• Daniel Adeboboye three-yard touchdown run (01:32) | OTT 20, TOR 16

• Paul Geelen 53-yard field goal (00:00, Q2) | OTT 23, TOR 16

• Paul Geelen missed field goal single (08:03, Q3) | OTT 24, TOR 16

• Nick Arbuckle 28-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital (04:11, Q3) | OTT 24, TOR 24

• Paul Geelen 51-yard field goal (01:23, Q3) | OTT 27, TOR 24

• Bryson Barnes three-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Eberhardt (08:03, Q4) | OTT 33, TOR 24

• Nick Arbuckle 34-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital (03:59, Q4) | OTT 33, TOR 31

• Isaiah Smith four-yard touchdown run (00:30, Q4) | TOR 39, OTT 33

• Bryson Barnes 24-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Eberhardt (00:06, Q4) | OTT 40, TOR 39

NEXT UP

The REDBLACKS close out their season against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as they travel to the Hammer for Week 21.

The Argonauts head home to close their 2026 season as the CFL-leading Montreal Alouettes come to town for both teams' season finale in Week 21.