The Stampeders improved to 4-0 this season after a rock solid defensive performance led them to a 27-3 victory over the RedBlacks in Thursday Night Football action at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.

Seven defenders recorded two or more tackles on the night, while the group has now held the opposition to just 38 points in four games.

“We’ve been preparing really hard, the guys are all on one page,” said defensive lineman Micah Johnson, who recorded three sacks on the night. “We have a really close group, and we do it for each other, we try to make it easy on each other. We love each other on and off the field and I think it’s starting to carry over.”

“These guys on defence prepare really hard,” agreed defensive back Emanuel Davis, who had one defensive tackle and an interception in the game.

“When you prepare hard like that during the week the game is easy, I think you saw that tonight.”

Bo Levi Mitchell had a solid night, going 16-for-21 for 166 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game during the second quarter on a scary play after a low hit from Ottawa’s Danny Mason, who received a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty for his actions.

Mitchell stayed on the sidelines for the rest of the contest as a precautionary measure. Backup pivot Nick Arbuckle played the remainder of the game, and went 8-for-14 for 84 yards and one major.

The Stamps were the first on the board after a late-quarter major on their third drive of the night. Rookie Romar Morris capped off an 11-play series with a one-yard run to the endzone for his first CFL touchdown. Mitchell and DaVaris Daniels followed the play with a two-point conversion to make it 8-0 for the Red & White.

Juwan Brescacin added to the Stamps lead 7:48 into the second with another major after catching a 10-yard pass from Mitchell. Two field-goals from Rene Paredes for a total of 42 yards would close out scoring in the first half.

The RedBlacks got their lone points of the night early in the third, when Lewis Ward kicked an 11-yard field-goal.

A 48-yard run from Don Jackson led to Lemar Durant tallying his first major of the year after a 12-yard endzone pass two plays later from Arbuckle.

“Words can’t really describe it,” said Durant. “I was trying to hold my emotions in, I was pumped up – it felt amazing.

“I saw the way they were covering the game, we needed a big score to put the game away. I told Arbuckle I’m going on this take, and if I’m there, throw it – sure enough he threw it and it worked out.”

Head coach Dave Dickenson was pleased with Arbuckle’s poise and execution.

“As a team you always like to see if that backup can do it,” he said.

“He’s done a good job in short-yardage, I thought he made some plays throwing the ball and making good decisions.

“One thing I know about him is he loves football and he’ll work hard so it was good for him to get in there and have some success.”

The Stampeders return to McMahon Stadium for their first match-up of the season against the Montreal Alouettes on July 21.