Late Winnipeg field goal throws Redblacks for another loss
Bomber’s inflict another close loss with last-second field goal by Medlock
This one is going to hurt as much as any of their other four losses this season. Maybe more.
It was same old story, same old song and dance for the Ottawa Redblacks, who dropped an agonizing 33-30 decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place stadium on Friday night. They have five losses for the season (1-5-1) by a total of 13 points.
The Canadian Football League game was decided by a final-play 34-yard field goal by Justin Medlock, who booted six field goals on the night.
“It’s tough,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell. “I get tired of rationalizing or explaining things. We have to find a way to make plays in the fourth quarter to get it done.”
“Obviously, it’s hard,” said Redblacks linebacker Taylor Reed. “Losing the same freaking way every time, it’s definitely tough. Toward the end, somebody has to make plays — offence, special teams or defence. We’ve been in this situation before. I can’t stress enough that we have to make plays. Defensively, we can’t be happy just forcing them to field goals, we have to force turnovers. We have to do better.”
The Redblacks took an 8-0 lead on their opening drive, chewing 6:30 off the clock going into a stiff breeze, with quarterback Trevor Harris connecting with seven different receivers and finishing it off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Josh Stangby. William Powell ran the two-point convert attempt into the end zone.
The Bombers answered back on their first play, with Matt Nichols, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 319 yards, finding Ryan Lankford open behind the Redblacks secondary on a stopand-go route for the touchdown. The Redblacks stuffed Andrew Harris short of the goal line on the two-point convert attempt, but Medlock’s ensuing kickoff sailed into the end zone and the Redblacks conceded a single point.
A 37-yard field goal by Brett Maher gave Ottawa an 11-7 lead, but Winnipeg got that back on a 52-yard Medlock field goal on the final play of the first quarter.
The Bombers took the lead on a weird play when Powell battled for more yardage deep in his own end and the ball was ripped out of his hands by safety Taylor Loffler. Chris Randle picked up the football and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. With the convert, Winnipeg led 17-11.
After a successful coach’s challenge by Winnipeg’s Mike O’Shea, the Blue Bombers got the ball on Ottawa’s 38-yard line with 5:35 left in the first half. It looked as if the Blue Bombers may have coughed the ball up on the next play on what looked like it was lateral that was dropped. The Redblacks thought that, too, and used their only challenge, but the CFL Command Centre thought otherwise. No matter, Winnipeg missed its field goal attempt and Quincy McDuffie, in his first game as a Redblack and facing his old team, ran it out of the end zone to the Redblacks’ 45. Maher boomed a 64-yard punt into the end zone for a single point, making it 17-12 for Winnipeg.
The Bombers chose to have the wind at their backs in the fourth quarter so the Redblacks got the ball to start the second half. On the second play, Powell found a gaping hole in the middle of the defence and dashed 52 yards into the end zone. Sinopoli caught the two-point convert attempt.
Powell, who had 85 yards rushing on eight carries, was hurt at the end of his touchdown run, though, so he was replaced by Brendan Gillanders, who ripped off runs of nine and 22 yards to take the ball to Winnipeg’s 41-yard line. A 44-yard Maher field goal made it 23-17.
A 36-yard Winnipeg field goal made it 23-20 with 4:12 left in the third quarter.
Ottawa coughed up the ball on a costly turnover as QB Ryan Lindley, on a third-and-one situation, fumbled the snap and lost half a yard. The Bombers then moved deep into Redblacks territory, but a couple of penalties set them back and they had to settle for a game-tying 21-yard field goal with 11:41 left.
Needing less than a yard on another drive, Lindley leaned forward and got it by inches, giving the Redblacks a first down on the Winnipeg 44. Harris then connected with Greg Ellingson for the touchdown strike with 5:21 left, and Maher’s convert made it 30-23.
The Bombers marched back down the field, but a sack by Avery Ellis stalled their drive and led to a 35-yard field goal by Medlock, who then added a single on the kickoff.
After Ottawa’s drive fizzled, Winnipeg got the ball back in great field position. From 40 yards out, Medlock tied the game with 57 seconds left.
“We have to (get over it),” said Harris, who completed 27-of-39 passes for 263 yards. “In six days, we play Edmonton so we have to rock and roll.” tbaines@postmedia.com Twitter: @TimCBaines