Week 19 | REDBLACKS at Blue Bombers – Saturday, October 29
The Ottawa REDBLACKS clinched the CFL East Division title for the second year in a row with a resounding 23-10 away victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday evening. The REDBLACKS, who needed just one win in their final two games to clinch, now secure home-field advantage and a bye into the East Final set for TD Place on Sunday, November 20.
“I am proud of our guys. When you create turnovers and you limit the penalties and we play a sixty minute game – we’re pretty good when we do that,” said head coach Rick Campbell. “This is a tough place to play, these guys are a good football team out here in Winnipeg and to get it done on the road is special.”
Veteran quarterback Henry Burris put in yet another star performance, throwing for 338 yards while also running the football in for his team’s first touchdown of the game. Running back Mossis Madu Jr. also had a big night, rushing the ball for 125 yards on 21 carries.
The REDBLACKS defensive unit put on a dominant performance, making three interceptions while limiting the Blue Bombers to just one field goal and one touchdown all night. Linebackers Taylor Reed and Damaso Munoz were menacing, making 12 and 10 tackles respectively.
Ottawa will wrap up their regular season at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday. They then have a bye week before suiting up for the East Division Championship game on November 20 at TD Place.
First Half Summary
The first points of the game were not scored until the last minute of the first quarter. Winnipeg Matt Nichols was leading his home-side on a strong charge down field, only for his end zone bound pass to be picked off by REDBLACKS defensive back Abdul Kanneh. Henry Burris took to the field and seized the opportunity, leading his team on an 11-play, 101-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard TD rush from the veteran quarterback. Burris found receiver Ernest Jackson just inside the end zone with a quick-fire pass, successfully completing the 2-point conversion. The score heading into the second quarter: 8-0.
Ottawa exploded out of the blocks in the second quarter, putting together a four play, 71-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard TD rush from Mossis Madu Jr. The visitors followed that score up with their second consecutive 2-point conversion, as Burris faked the handoff to Madu Jr. before firing a short pass to Lavoie just inside the end zone, 16-0.
Kicker Ray Early scored a single at the eight minute mark of the second quarter.
The Blue Bombers would put up their first points of the game late in the second half with kicker Justin Medlock hitting a 37-yard field goal, 17-3.
Second Half Summary
The third quarter turned into a bit of a stalemate until kicker Ray Early – who played for the injured Chris Milo – hit a 15-yard field goal with forty seconds to spare, 20-3. Early had teammate Madu Jr. to thank for the strong field position, after the running back put in a long 40-yard rush just two plays earlier.
Early would strike again midway through the fourth quarter, hitting a 29-yard field goal to extend Ottawa’s lead to 20 points.
Winnipeg would score a late consolation touchdown as quarterback Matt Nichols hit wide-receiver Darvin Adams for a short 5-yard TD score.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
OTT – TD Burris (E. Jackson 2-point convert, pass from Burris) – 1:00
Second Quarter
OTT – TD Madu Jr. (Lavoie 2-point convert, pass from Burris) – 12:29
OTT – Single Early – 8:10
WPG – FG Medlock – 0:40
Third Quarter
OTT – FG Early – 0:40
Fourth Quarter
OTT – FG Early – 7:07
WPG – TD Adams (pass from Medlock) – 0:10
