GAME 1: REDBLACKS @ ESKIMOS @ 7:00 PM, June 25, 2016
Saturday, June 25 – 7:00 PM
Final Score
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
T |
|
|
Edmonton |
1 |
10 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
37 |
|
Ottawa |
3 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
8 |
45 |
Game Summary
The Ottawa REDBLACKS opened the 2016 CFL season with a thrilling 45-37 overtime win over the reigning Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos. While both teams downplayed the rematch leading up to this Week 1 clash, Saturday night’s affair started slowly, but the offense on both teams kicked into overdrive in the final three quarters capped off by a 55-yard game-tying field goal by Chris Milo as time expired.
Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris, who replaced an injured Henry Burris in the third quarter, hooked up with wide receiver Brad Sinopli for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Both team’s quarterbacks put in impressive performances. The REDBLACKS’ Trevor Harris and Henry Burris threw for a combined 543 yards, while Eskimos QB Mike Reilly threw for 383 yards. REDBLACKS wide-receiver Chris Williams demonstrated his blistering pace, rushing for 176 yards while making 8 receptions and scoring 2 touchdowns. Ottawa kicker Christopher Milo went 4 for 4 on field goal attempts.
Opening the season with four of their first five games on the road made Saturday night’s win that much more important for Ottawa. The REDBLACKS have a quick turnaround heading into Week 2 as they visit the Montreal Alouettes (1-0) in just five days on June 30.
The REDBLACKS will host the Calgary Stampeders in Week 3 with only a couple hundred tickets remaining for the Home Opener.
First Half Summary
The first half was a slow start until an offensive eruption saw both team’s score touchdowns late in the second quarter. The REDBLACKS were first to strike as running back Kienan LaFrance rushed Burris’s short lofted pass into the Edmonton end zone from five yards out.
The Eskimos wasted little time and responded with their own touchdown courtesy of John White. The Edmonton running back – who was a force to be reckoned with in the first half – received Mike Reilly’s short pass and turned to rush the football into Ottawa’s end zone from 27 yards out. The REDBLACKS hit a late 45 yard field goal to head into halftime with a three point advantage.
Second Half Summary
The offensive game that clicked into gear in the first half went into overdrive in the final two quarters with both team’s trading blow after blow until the final whistle. Trevor Harris, who came in for an injured Henry Burris in the third quarter, made an immediate impact, hitting REDBLACKS wide receiver Chris Williams for a 71 yard touchdown with his first pass of the game. Harris proceeded to complete his next 9 passes, hooking up with Williams again for another big touchdown.
Last year’s champions failed to be intimidated, clawing their way back into the game with a big fourth quarter that saw them leading the game by three points with just one second left in the game. Up stepped REDBLACKS kicker Christopher Milo, who struck a 55 yard field goal – the longest of his career – to tie the game and force overtime. Harris played the hero in overtime, hooking up with Brad Sinopli for the game winning touchdown.
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter – Premier Quart
EDM – Single Shaw 2:19
OTT – Safety Reilly 13:13
OTT – Single Milo 14:48
Second Quarter – Deuxieme Quart
EDM – FG Whyte 8:49
OTT – TD Lafrance, pass from Burris (Jackson 2 pt conversion) 12:33
EDM – TD White, pass from Reilly (Whyte convert) 14:03
OTT – FG Milo 15:00
Third Quarter – Troisieme Quart
EDM – TD Frank (Whyte convert) 2:26
EDM – FG Whyte 5:11
OTT – TD Williams, pass from Harris (Milo convert) 7:06
OTT – TD Williams, pass from Harris (Milo convert) 10:53
EDM – FG Whyte 14:44
Fourth Quarter – Quatrieme Quart
OTT – FG Milo 1:45
EDM – FG Whyte 4:15
OTT – FG Milo 7:26
EDM – TD White (Whyte convert) 10:37
EDM – FG Whyte 14:06
OTT – FG Milo 15:00
Over Time
OTT – TD Sinopli, pass from Harris (Ellingson converts 2pt) 0:00
Attendance: 27,846
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