Redblacks Score Road Win In Montreal

Brennan MacDonald | Photo: Johany Jutras

Week 11 | REDBLACKS at Alouettes – Thursday, September 1 – 7:30 PM

Final Score

Game Summary
The East Division leading Ottawa REDBLACKS triumphed over the Montreal Alouettes 19-14, in a hard-fought, defensive battle at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Thursday night. The victory sees the REDBLACKS take the season series over the Als and extend their lead atop the East heading into the second and final bye week of the season.

“Obviously, we needed that one. It’s big. It’s the season series against these guys and it’s an East division win on the road, which is big,” said REDBLACKS Head Coach Rick Campbell as his team returned to the win column after two straight losses. “There is stuff we gotta clean up and we can make more plays, but we did a lot of the hard work in this game and it was huge to come out of here with a win.

REDBLACKS receiver Ernest Jackson put in another outstanding performance in Montreal. His third quarter 31-yard TD reception extend his touchdown streak to five straight games. It was just one of five total receptions Jackson made on the night, for a total 109 yards. Wide-receiver Chris Williams also put in a strong performance, making 10 receptions for 91 yards.

The Alouettes made it a tough evening for Ottawa’s high-octane offence, limiting the East Division leaders to just field goals on many solid scoring drives. On the offensive end, slotback Nik Lewis put in a powerful performance, making 10 receptions for a total of 92 yards and one touchdown.

Now 5-4-1, the REDBLACKS will remain atop the East Division through Week 11 and will enjoy a bye week during Week 12. The REDBLACKS, who are 4-1-0 on the road this season, will return to action in Week 13 when they travel to Calgary on September 17 to face the West Division leading Stampeders. Ottawa returns to TD Place on September 13 looking to win the season-series over the Argos as part of Purolator Tackle Hunger Weekend.

First Half Summary
REDBLACKS’ kicker Chris Milo hit two first quarter field goals to head into the second quarter leading the Montreal Alouettes 6-1 – the home team scoring a single off a Fera punt. The Alouettes defence did well to limit Ottawa to just 6 first quarter points as Trevor Harris completed 7 of 10 pass attempts for a total of 109 yards, while wide receiver Chris Williams made 5 receptions for a total of 58 yards.

Milo was unable to make a late first half field goal to claw back the REDBLACKS lead, after an earlier second quarter Kevin Glenn touchdown pass to Nik Lewis handed the home team an 8-6 lead. The touchdown was a highlight to a quiet first half for the Montreal QB who only managed 88 yards on 10 of 14 pass attempts, relying heavily on his defensive unit to hold Ottawa scoreless in the second quarter.

Second Half Summary
Former Ottawa Gee-Gees running back Brendan Gillanders came off the bench in the third quarter to run for a total of 21 yards and two first downs on four rushes, allowing Trevor Harris the opportunity to link up with receiver Ernest Jackson for the lead-changing 31 yard touchdown reception. The touchdown marks Jackson’s fifth consecutive game scoring a touchdown – his sixth on the year. Fera kicked a late 52 yard field goal to send the home team into the fourth quarter trailing the REDBLACKS, 13-11.

Ottawa’s defensive unit did well to hold off a determined Montreal drive early in the fourth quarter – forcing the Alouettes to kick a go-ahead field goal instead of a TD. Milo answered Fera’s field goal with two of his own, giving the REDBLACKS the late lead that the visitors were able to carry until the final whistle, winning the grudge-match 19-14.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
OTT – FG Milo – 9:33
MTL – Single Fera – 2:03
OTT – FG Milo – 0:00

Second Quarter
MTL – TD Lewis, pass from Glenn (Fera converts) – 4:25

Third Quarter
OTT – TD E. Jackson, pass from Harris (Milo converts) – 2:45
OTT – FG Fera – 0:00

Fourth Quarter
MTL – FG Fera – 8:52
OTT – FG Milo – 6:19
OTT – FG Milo – 3:09