Redblacks collapse as Riders rally
Visiting Riders wipe out 17-point deficit as Ottawa collapses in fourth quarter
The Redblacks choked on a 17-point lead and wasted a franchise record performance by William Powell against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday. In the process, they blew a chance to move into first place in the CFL’s East Division.
Ahead 17-0 in the third quarter, Ottawa wound up on the short end of an 18-17 outcome in front of a capacity crowd at TD Place.
The winning rouge came off a 41-yard punt by Saskatchewan’s Josh Bartel with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter, when Quincy McDuffie couldn’t get the ball out of the end zone.
“We were trying to get the ball out of there and we didn’t get it done,” Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell said. “We still have a chance though. We still had decent field position on the 35. All we need to do is drive for a field goal.”
The last hope of that happening was crushed when quarterback Ryan Lindley threw his lone interception of the night.
Powell carried the ball 26 times for 187 yards to set a new franchise single-game rushing record, eclipsing the old mark of 180 yards set by Jonathan Williams. The legendary Ronnie Stewart established the Ottawa Rough Riders’ and CFL singlegame rushing record of 287 yards in 1960.
Powell’s performance was behind an offensive line that was missing its best three starters.
“The O-line did a great job, opened some lanes up for me,” Powell said. “I was able to find them.”
The loss dropped the Redblacks to 5-9-1 and left them one point behind the Toronto Argonauts. Saskatchewan increased its playoff chances by improving to 7-6-0.
Lindley, the team’s third stringer, was forced into his second straight start because of injuries to Trevor Harris and Drew Tate, who was dressed but watched from the sidelines. He passed for one touchdown and ran for another, and wound up completing 17 of 31 throws for 164 yards.
“It just comes down to execution in the second half,” Lindley said. “I always kind of take it on myself. I missed a lot of throws that I made in the first half. I’ve just got to be more consistent.”
Asked about playing in rain for the second week in a row, Lindley said it was really only a factor on a botched toss to Greg Ellingson.
“Besides that, I think I was trying to be too fine,” Lindley said. “Trying to place it instead of throw it — you can’t do that kind of stuff. I’ve played a lot of football. You’ve got to just go out there and play. I think that’s our thing: We’ve just got to go out and finish games.”
The Roughriders put up their first points with the Redblacks’ defence watching from the sidelines. Breaking the goose egg with a 97-yard punt return was Christion Jones, who might have been caught by Antoine Pruneau if the field had been just a little longer.
A six-yard TD run by former Redblack Kienan Lafrance, capping a drive started with a no-contact fumble by Ottawa receiver Juron Criner, cut the gap to 17-14 with 9:32 left.
Ottawa native Tyler Crapigna tied the score by booting a 16-yard field goal with 5:14 to go.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” Campbell said. “Obviously, none of us feel good in that room right now. We need to make sure we can be miserable tonight, which I know I will be, but we need to keep pressing forward because there’s a lot to play for.
“We obviously have the ability to play with people. We just need to find a way to close out games.”
Ottawa received a huge, tonesetting play by defensive back Jonathan Rose early in the game.
After a quick two-and-out with the night’s first possession, the Redblacks allowed the Roughriders an 11-play drive that ended when Kevin Glenn decided to go for all the marbles from Ottawa’s 36-yard line. His pass intended for Duron Carter looked to be good, but Rose left his feet to make a diving interception at the goal-line, then got back up and ran the ball 21 yards.
Sparked by runs of 32 and 16 yards from Powell, the Redblacks worked their way into position for a 22-yard Brett Maher field goal.
Extra points: While Roughriders players and coaches locked arms in a sign of unity for the national anthem, the Redblacks stood as they have for every other game in team history ... Senators GM Pierre Dorion and coach Guy Boucher were dressed in Redblacks garb as they cut the ceremonial log to officially start the game.