Redblacks’ win puts team on top in East
Give Round 1 to the Ottawa O TTAWA Redblacks in the fight for first place in the CFL’s East Division.
Battling through some first-half hiccups, the Redblacks battled back and beat the Hamilton TigerCats 35-31 Friday night at TD Place. With a 9-7 record, the Redblacks are now a game up on the Ticats — making next Saturday’s return match in Hamilton a must-win.
Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris bounced back from a shaky first half. His backup, Dominique Davis, scored three touchdowns from in close.
The Ticats took a 7-0 lead 61/2 minutes into the first quarter. Starting deep in their own end, the Ticats marched downfield — the big play was a pass to running back Alex Green, who sped 40 yards into Ottawa territory. With blitzing Redblacks in his face, Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli lobbed a pass into the air and it was pulled down by Luke Tasker in the end zone for a touchdown.
Ottawa got a 23-yard field goal with 6:04 left in the first quarter. It was set up by a great catch by receiver R.J. Harris, who went 58 yards after Hamilton’s Richard Leonard gambled and tried to jump the route and intercept the pass.
The Redblacks made a big play on defence, with Sherrod Baltimore stepping in front of Justin Buren for his first CFL interception. Ottawa took over on the Hamilton 51. Ward put his leg into a kick and nailed a field goal from 52 yards. It was his 45th straight and broke the pro football record for consecutive field goals (it had been held by Indianapolis Colts’ Adam Vinatieri over the 2015-16 seasons).
Hamilton bounced back quickly, with Masoli finding Brandon Banks and the speedster racing down the left sideline for a 33-yard touchdown. It was 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Lirim Hajrullahu booted a 59yard single and it was 15-6 early in the second quarter.
With all kinds of time to throw as he bounced around in the pocket, Masoli launched a 43-yard pass that Mike Jones caught. Two plays later, Masoli hit a pass to Luke Tasker, who scored his fifth touchdown in two games.
Ottawa finally showed signs of life, with a drive that ended with Davis leaning into the end zone for a touchdown with 48 seconds left in the first half. William Powell got his legs churning and ran into the end zone for the two-point convert.
Starting at their own 46, the Ticats took advantage of a Anthony Cioffi penalty and a 14-yard run by Masoli to set up a 21-yard Hajrullahu field goal.
An Ottawa challenge for pass interference worked and kept its third-quarter opening drive alive — the penalty was called by the CFL Command Centre. The drive resulted in a Davis touchdown from a yard out. Harris found R.J. Harris for the two-point conversion and Ottawa pulled within three points.
Again, the Ticats struck back. Banks got open in the middle of the field and Masoli, as he was being hit, found him for a 40-yard gain. A field goal made it 28-22.
Catches by Brad Sinopoli (15 yards), R.J. Harris (24 yards) and Greg Ellingson (15 yards) led to a 10-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Spencer in the back of the end zone. The convert gave the Redblacks their first lead of the game — 29-28 — with 4:44 left in the third quarter.
Hajrullahu booted a 53-yard field goal with 12:02 left and Hamilton led 31-29.
Roughing the kicker and illegal contact penalties gave Ottawa the ball on the Hamilton 36. Harris then found R.J. Harris at the Ottawa at the 10-yard line. But an unnecessary roughness penalty brought it back to the 25. A pass to R.J. Harris took it to the seven. Davis scored his third touchdown of the game from the one. The convert attempt missed and it was 3531 for Ottawa with 6:40 left.
The Ticats botched the kickoff and the Redblacks got the ball on the Hamilton 33 when Nigel Romick knocked it out of bounds. Against a brisk wind, Ottawa decided to punt from the 37. Richie Leone kicked it out at the Hamilton 12.
With a spectacular run, William Powell dragged defenders 40 yards to the Hamilton 13, with 1:13 left. But, on the next play, Powell coughed the ball up and the fumble was recovered on the Hamilton three-yard line. Time ran out on Hamilton, however.