Menu
October 21, 2016

REDBLACKS Drop Double-Overtime Heartbreaker

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Ottawa REDBLACKS October 21, 2016 PHOTO: Greg Kolz/Freestyle Photography

By | Brennan MacDonald
Photo | Greg Kolz – Freestyle Photography

 

Week 18 | TigerCats at REDBLACKS – Friday, October 21, 2016 – 7 PM

Game Summary
The Ottawa REDBLACKS fell to the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 39-36 in a double-overtime thriller at TD Place. Despite the cold, wet weather the team was backed by a raucous, sellout crowd who braved the elements to cheer on their REDBLACKS.

“A tough one. It was there for the taking. A lot to play for, but it comes down to making plays at the end of the game and we didn’t get it done. This one is going to hurt but we are going to get back to work tomorrow and onward we go,” said REDBLACKS Head Coach Rick Campbell.

Despite the loss, Ottawa remains top of the East with 15 points and two games to play in the regular season. They will face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in back-to-back games with top spot in the East on the line.

“There’s a bunch to play for – we’re fighting for first place. The guys will be mad at this one but you gotta reload and this is the time of the year you gotta be playing your best football. We’re on to Winnipeg” said Campbell.

REDBLACKS QB Henry Burris put on an exciting performance for the fans, throwing for 418 yards and three touchdowns. When the pressure was on, Burris turned to receiver Ernest Jackson, linking up with the 1000+ yards receiver 10 times for 102 yards and two touchdown receptions. Running back Mossis Madu Jr. also had a standout game, running for 85 yards on 15 rushes, scoring 1 touchdown in the process.

Heading into the final two weeks of the season any REDBLACKS win coupled with a Tiger-Cats loss will give Ottawa the East Division Title. The REDBLACKS are guaranteed to host a home playoff game that could come as either the East Semifinal on November 13 or the East Final on November. Tickets to the 104th Grey Cup playoffs are on-sale now at are available by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or visit The Box Office at TD Place. 

First Half Summary
The two teams traded field goals to open the scoring. Ottawa kicker Chris Milo struck first with a long 46-yard field goal to finish off the home team’s opening series. Hamilton kicker Brett Maher answered five minutes later with a 38-yard field goal of his own.

Ottawa clawed back their lead with just under two minutes to play in the first quarter. Henry Burris capped off a 7-play, 61-yard drive with a lofted TD pass to receiver Ernest Jackson. The receiver did well under pressure to make a difficult falling catch.

After the teams traded interceptions late in the first quarter, Ottawa’s defensive line put in an impressive red zone stop on Hamilton to limit the TigerCats to just a field goal on what was a promising opening second quarter series with good starting field position.

Milo cancelled out Maher’s score just over two minutes later with a 34-yard field goal.

Ottawa’s defensive unit put up another imposing stop on Hamilton’s ensuing series. The Ticats QB saw his attempted TD pass picked off by safety Antoine Pruneau who returned the football 53 yards back down field. Burris didn’t let the opportunity slide, leading his team the rest of the way down field before threading the needle to receiver Juron Criner for the lead-extending touchdown, 20-6.

Ottawa surrendered points late in the first half after a fumbled punt return was punished by a 4-yard TigerCats touchdown pass from Jeremiah Masoli to receiver Kevin Elliott. Kicker Maher missed the ensuing conversion, 20-12.

Unfazed, Ottawa’s offensive unit took to the field with purpose, and with five seconds left in the half, the home team added to their lead with a short TD rush from Mossis Madu Jr. The REDBLACKS went into half with a 15 point lead: 27-12.

Second Half Summary
The Ticats came out of the half hungry and dented the REDBLACKS lead with an early TD rush from back-up QB Jeff Mathews. He capped off a 5-play, 68-yard drive with a short 1-yard TD rush. Desperate for points, the visitor’s attempted a 2-point conversion, but Masoli failed to pick out a wide-receiver Spencer Watt with the pass. 

Hamilton had further opportunity to put up points in the third quarter, but they were unable find the final touch. Their struggles were highlighted by another missed field goal attempt from kicker Maher with under two minutes left in the quarter. The REDBLACKS finished the third quarter leading 27-19.

The TigerCats finished off a fine opening fourth quarter drive with a 19-yard TD pass from Masoli to slotback John Chiles, cutting the REDBLACKS lead to just one point. 

The REDBLACKS offensive unit, who had been quiet since half-time, sparked into action following the visitor’s TD. Burris took to the field and led his team on a 6-play, 84-yard drive capped off with an impressive touchdown pass reception by E. Jackson – his second of the game. Milo missed the conversion. 

Milo’s missed conversion would prove decisive for the visitors, who marched back down the field on the ensuing drive to score the game-tying, over-time forcing touchdown. 

Despite giving up two penalties on Hamilton’s first drive in overtime, Ottawa’s defensive unit held strong, limiting the visitor’s to just a field goal.

Milo would answer Maher’s short 18-yard field goal with a 45-yarder of his own, levelling the score and forcing double OT. 

However, TigerCats defensive end John Chick forced a fumble on Ottawa’s drive in the second overtime period that Hamilton recovered, opening the door for kicker Maher to seal the victory with a 38-yard field goal.

 

Scoring Summary

1

2

3

4

O

T

Ottawa

10

17

0

6

3

36

Hamilton

3

9

7

14

6

39

 

First Quarter
OTT – FG Milo – 11:56
HAM – FG Maher – 6:58
OTT – TD E. Jackson, pass from Burris (Milo converts) – 1:56

Second Quarter
HAM – FG Maher – 13:46
OTT – FG Milo – 11:19
OTT – TD Criner, pass from Burris (Milo converts) – 4:00
HAM – TD Elliott, pass from Masoli – 1:14
OTT – TD Madu Jr. (Milo converts) – 0:05

Third Quarter
HAM – TD Mathews – 12:06
HAM – Single Maher – 2:02

Fourth Quarter – Quatrieme Quart
HAM – TD Chiles, pass from Masoli (Maher converts) – 11:56
OTT – TD E. Jackson, pass from Burris – 8:40
HAM – TD Gable, pass from Masoli (Maher converts) – 4:15

Overtime
HAM – FG Maher – 0:00
OTT – FG Milo – 0:00
HAM – FG Maher – 0:00

Attendance: 24,210