Redblacks, Stampeders settle for tie in spirited Grey Cup rematch at TD Place
In a Grey Cup rematch Friday night at TD Place, the biggest noise of the night was directed at the officials: boos along with chants of “Ref, you suck” and “b------t.”
Even when Canadian Football League officials get it right — and on Friday they were maybe better than they had been the night before in Montreal — they still can’t win.
In a 31-31 tie between the Ottawa Redblacks and Calgary Stampeders in the regular-season opener for both teams at TD Place stadium, a call late in the second quarter got the boo-birds started. Calgary’s Kamar Jorden leaned into the end zone and fumbled the ball into the arms of Redblacks linebacker Khalil Bass, who, with an army of blockers, ran all the way for what seemed like it might be an Ottawa touchdown. Amid much booing from Ottawa fans, the officials ruled touchdown for Calgary. As close as it was, it looked like the correct call. But, after seeing the replay a few times, Ottawa football fans still seemed unconvinced.
Rewind to Thursday, when what sure looked like a fumble by Saskatchewan’s Bakari Grant was ruled a touchdown, standing up through a command-centre review.
Back to Ottawa, though. Leave it to these teams to display a flair for the dramatic. Seven months ago, the Redblacks beat the Stampeders 39-33 in overtime to win the Grey Cup. And, don’t forget, they’ll go at it again next Thursday in Calgary.
On a mostly beautiful summer night (thankfully, the rain held off until the final 10 minutes), the Redblacks took an early 11-0 lead. After a terrific defensive play when defensive back Jerrell Gavins knocked the ball out of Jerome Messam’s hands, it was pounced on by Ettore Lattanzio. Ottawa then got a 40-yard field goal by Brett Maher.
The Redblacks extended the lead when William Powell caught a Trevor Harris pass and scored from six yards out on the first play of the second quarter. Harris bobbled the snap on the twopoint convert, but picked the ball up and threw to a wide-open Greg Ellingson.
The Stampeders got an 11-yard field goal by Rene Paredes, and then the controversial Jorden touchdown and a two-point convert by Marquay McDaniel tied the game.
A promising Ottawa drive midway through the third quarter resulted in a 27-yard field goal by Maher. Brendan Gillanders, subbing in for Powell at running back, dashed for runs of 16 and 14 yards.
DaVaris Daniels got behind the Ottawa defenders and caught a ball along the sideline near the Redblacks bench. It went for 35 yards after a command-centre review (following a Calgary challenge), with the officials again hearing boos. The Stampeders tied the game with a Paredes field goal.
Ottawa charged down the field, with Patrick Lavoie taking a screen pass and rumbling 16 yards, then Gillanders found a hole and ran for 14 more. Two plays later, Juron Criner caught an 11-yard touchdown pass, and Maher booted the convert.
On Calgary’s next possession, it looked as if Jorden had got open behind the Redblacks’ defensive backs, but Imoan Claiborne made a great play to knock the ball away.
With Powell on the sideline, looking like he might be favouring a leg, Gillanders ripped off another 11-yard run. With Ottawa in Calgary territory, Harris found a diving Joshua Stangby on a beauty of a 32-yard touchdown. It gave Ottawa a 28-14 lead with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter.
However, Gillanders coughed up the ball on Ottawa’s 24-yard line with 7:03 left. Calgary scored on the next play, when Mitchell found Lemar Durant coming across the middle.
The Stampeders got the ball back on their own 30-yard line with 3:24 left. On their first play, Jorden fumbled the ball as he fell to the ground, but the video review upheld the call that he had been down by contact. Calgary then rolled downfield for a Messam touchdown and game-tying convert, setting up overtime.
Ottawa got the ball first in overtime, but Harris was picked off by Jamar Wall in the end-zone. Calgary missed a chance to win it when a 37-yard Paredes field goal attempt was wide.
On the teams’ second possession, Calgary went ahead 31-28 on a field goal by Paredes, but Ottawa replied with a 37-yard field goal by Maher. Twitter.com/TimCBaines