Stampeders hammer Redblacks to move into tie with Eskimos atop CFL standings

OTTAWA - The Calgary Stampeders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 32-7 Sunday afternoon to improve to 7-1 and move into a first-place tie with the Edmonton Eskimos for first in the CFL's West Division.

This was the second and final meeting between the two teams after Calgary defeated the Redblacks 38-17 two weeks ago. It was also the Stampeders' first visit to the nation's capital since 2005.

With the win the Stampeders remain undefeated on the road going a perfect 4-0. Sunday's game also marked the return of star running back Jon Cornish, who had missed the past six games due to a concussion.

The Redblacks (1-7) meanwhile suffered their fifth straight loss.

The Stampeders held an 8-7 lead at the half and never looked back. Back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach and showed the Redblacks' inexperience.

Sederrik Cunningham ran in a 20-yard touchdown to make it 18-7 with six minutes 6:02 remaining in the fourth quarter. Less than two minutes later Cunningham had a 66-yard punt return to give Calgary a 25-7 lead.

Hugh Charles also ran in a 15-yard touchdown late in the fourth to make it 32-7. The Redblacks have been outscored in the fourth quarter in seven-of-eight games this season.

Rene Parades scored a 32-yard field goal late in the third quarter to give Calgary an 11-7 lead.

The Redblacks had shown signs of growth when they held off the Stampeders midway through the third.

Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell connected with Joe West for a 58-yard gain to put Calgary at Ottawa's 19-yard line.

The Stampeders moved the ball to the nine-yard line and found themselves in a third-and-one situation, but Ottawa's Keith Shologan managed to recover a fumble to the delight of the sellout crowd of 24,327 at TD Place Stadium.

The Redblacks seemed to gain some energy from the play, but it was short lived as Jamar Wall intercepted a Henry Burris pass to put an end to the momentum.

The Redblacks had gotten off to the start they wanted with an interception returned for a touchdown to jump out to a 7-0 lead.

The play was possible as linebacker Antoine Pruneau was able to get a hand on an attempted pass by Mitchell. Jonathan Williams caught the ball and lumbered down field 35 yards for the touchdown for the Redblacks' first defensive touchdown of the season.

The lead was short-lived as the Stampeders went on to tie the game on a seven-yard rushing touchdown by Drew Tate.

Looking to extend their lead the Stampeders had to settle for a rouge after Paredes' 36-yard field goal went wide to take an 8-7 lead into the half.

The Stampeders will face their toughest challenge next week as they host the Edmonton Eskimos (7-1) in a showdown for first overall in the West. The Redblacks will finally have an opportunity to face an East Division opponent as they take on Montreal following four straight games against West Division teams.

Notes: With a pass late in the third quarter Burris moved into third-place all-time in CFL passing yards (53,255) to surpass Danny McManus. Burris also made his 194th start, passing McManus for fourth all-time. ... The Redblacks wore their signature third jersey's for the first time, although the plaid helmets that were supposed to accompany the jersey were unavailable.