Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Ernest Jackson (#9) tries to evade Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Justin Cox (#31) during the second half of CFL action. The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 30-29 in Regina on Thursday, July 22, 2016. (CFL PHOTO - MATT SMITH)
Week 5 | REDBLACKS at Roughriders – Friday, July 22 – 9PM
Final Score
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
|
|
OTT |
8 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
29 |
|
SSK |
7 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
30 |
Game Summary
On a night that saw six lead changes, the Ottawa REDBLACKS suffered defeat for the first time in 2016 Friday night in Saskatchewan after being edged 30-29 on a late 53-yard field goal from Ottawa native Tyler Crapigna. The loss, in fact, is the REDBLACKS first regular season loss in their last 10 games dating back to last season.
For the second time this season, the REDBLACKS were forced to turn to their back-up quarterback to lead them as Trevor Harris was forced from the game due to injury early in the first quarter.
Brock Jensen settled in early connecting with Brad Sinopoli for the 65 yard score. The pair would connected again for another major late in the second quarter – this time a 47 yard touchdown that saw the REDBLACKS pull level on the Lavoie two-point conversion. A late Chris Milo field goal would see the REDBLACKS carry a 20-17 lead into halftime.
Ottawa grew their lead to nine-points in the third quarter on a pair of Milo field goals, but a Naaman Roosevelt touchdown as time expired on the quarter gave the Green Riders life and reduced their deficit to two points.
Crapigna and Milo exchanged field goals in the fourth quarter before the Ottawa native spoiled Milo’s return to Saskatchewan with a 53-yard field goal with just over a minute to play that held up to give Riderville their first win of the season.
It was a big night for Regina native Zack Evans as the REDBLACKS defensive lineman recorded three sacks and was a factor all night for Ottawa’s defence.
Nic Grigsby ran for 54 yards while receiver Brad Sinopoli set a career high with 156 receiving yards on five catches.
The REDBLACKS, now 3-1-1, earned three wins from their first road games of the season and will return to TD Place July 31 against the Toronto Argonauts to being a four-game home stand. The REDBLACKS will honour the 1976 Grey Cup winning Ottawa Rough Riders during the July 31 tilt against the Argos.
First Half
It turned into a battle of the backup quarterbacks in Saskatchewan as an early injury to REDBLACKS quarterback Trevor Harris forced the team’s third string passer Brock Jensen into the game. Despite both team’s fielding substitute QB’s, the first quarter became an offensive shootout with the lead changing four-times.
The Roughriders struck first with two quick Tyler Crapigna field goals before the REDBLACKS Jensen found Brad Sinopoli for a 65–yard touchdown pass. Saskatchewan answered midway through the second half, blocking a Zach Medeiros punt, recovering the loose ball and returning it for a 14-yard touchdown.
Jensen responded with another big touchdown pass to Sinopoli before kicker Chris Milo hit a late field goal to send the REDBLACKS into the break leading 20-17. Receiver Brad Sinopoli was the standout performer of the first half, making five receptions for 156 yards. Brock Jensen completed 12 of 15 passes, throwing for a total of 203 yards.
Second Half
The final 30 minutes saw the defence step up for both sides and the kickers take over. A Chris Milo field goal inside the opening five minutes of the second half extended Ottawa’s lead to six points which grew to a nine point lead thanks to another boot from Milo midway through the third quarter.
As time expired on the third quarter, Riders QB Mitchell Gale hit Naaman Roosevelt for an 89-yard touchdown to pull the Riders to within two-points following the Crapigna convert.
Crapigna and Milo would exchange field goals in the fourth quarter with the Riders kicker, and Ottawa native, getting the last chance to kick and scoring what proved to be the game-winning field goal with just over a minute to go from 53-yards – a career best for the Riders kicker.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter – Premier Quart
SSK – FG Crapigna – 2:13
SSK – FG Crapigna – 8:14
OTT – TD Sinopoli, pass from Jensen (Milo converts) – 5:58
OTT – Single Medeiros – 9:52
SSK – Single Bartel – 11:32
Second Quarter – Deuxieme Quart
OTT – Single Milo – 0:42
SSK – FG Crapigna – 5:28
SSK – TD Campbell (Crapigna converts) – 7:06
OTT – TD Sinopoli, pass from Jensen (Lavoie 2pt conversion) – 9:19
OTT – FG Milo – 14:01
Third Quarter – Troisieme Quart
OTT – FG Milo – 4:53
OTT – FG Milo – 11:11
SSK – TD Roosevelt, pass from Gale (Crapigna converts) – 15:00
Fourth Quarter – Quatrieme Quart
SSK – FG Crapigna – 7:21
OTT – FG Milo – 12:49
SSK – FG Crapigna – 13:51
