The CFL match between the Ottawa RedBlacks and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, ON. Canada on Nov. 4, 2016. PHOTO: Steve Kingsman/Freestyle Photography
Week 20 | Blue Bombers at REDBLACKS – Friday, November 4, 7PM
The Ottawa REDBLACKS fell to the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-20, in a game of little consequence for the home side. With their playoff berth to the East Final already secured, the REDBLACKS fielded a comparatively inexperienced side, providing some of the starters some much-needed rest.
“We’ll have to put this one to bed, close the regular season out and get ready for a big one coming up here in a couple weeks,” said REDBLACKS Head Coach Rick Campbell.
Friday night’s regular season finale marked a franchise record 11th consecutive sellout at TD Place, the 24th sellout all time for the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
“I give our fans full credit, they are awesome. To sell out all these games is tremendous,” said Campbell. “This was a unique night. Obviously we wanted to win the game. We were missing some regular guys tonight, but we always want to put on a good show at home.
REDBLACKS running back Travon Van put in a strong performance in the absence of the home-side’s star receiving core. He ran the ball for 96 yards on 15 rushes – including an outrageous 29-yard slaloming TD rush.
Blue Bombers QB Matt Nichols had a solid game for the visitors, throwing for 299 yards and two touchdown passes. Teammate and kicker Justin Medlock broke a 26-year CFL record, scoring his 60th field goal of the season late in the fourth quarter. The record-breaking field goal was his fifth of the game.
The REDBLACKS now await the winner of the East Semi-Final that Hamilton will host next weekend. RNation will look to make it 12 straight sell-outs when the REDBLACKS suit up for the East Final on November 20.
First Half Summary
The REDBLACKS couldn’t wait for their first possession of the game to put points up on the board. In a case of right place at the right time, linebacker Nicholas Taylor picked off Blue Bombers QB Matt Nichols’ wayward pass, turned on his jets and returned the football 55-yards for the game’s opening TD.
On the last play of the first quarter, the visitor’s cancelled out Taylor’s heroics. Blue Bombers QB Matt Nichols followed up a 50-yard pass to Weston Dressler with a 10-yard TD pass to wide-receiver Darvin Adams. The score heading into the second quarter: 7-7.
At the midway point of the second quarter, the visitors were able to turn an interception into some points of their own, albeit just a FG as kicker Justin Medlock fired the football through the sticks from 19-yards out, 10-7.
REDBLACKS kicker Ray Early tied the game up just minutes later, hitting a long 39-yard FG. Seconds later, Medlock followed that with a 15-yarder of his own to push the Blue Bombers back in front. Heading into the break, the Blue Bombers led the REDBLACKS by a score of 13-10.
Second Half Summary
Medlock opened the second half scoring just over three minutes in with his fourth field goal of the game, extending his team’s lead to six points.
Ottawa’s defensive unit answered with another big play of the game, this time off their own team’s punt. As Early kicked the football well downfield, Blue Bombers kick-returner McDuffie picked up the ball only to be tackled hard by long snapper Tanner Doll. The force of the tackle knocked the ball loose and the REDBLACKS recovered possession. Two plays later, running back Travon Van slalomed the ball in for a 29-yard TD rush, 17-16.
However, the home-side’s lead was short-lived. On the very next play, McDuffie made up for his fumble with an outrageous, lighting-quick 95-yard TD kick return, 23-17.
Four minutes later, Early clawed the home team back to within three points of the visitors, hitting a 27-yard field goal, 23-20.
That would be as close as the REDBLACKS would come to lead. On his next series, Blue Bombers QB Nichols took to the field and led his team on a 6-play, 75-yard push, capped of by a 10-yard TD pass to receiver Darvin Adams. The score heading into the fourth quarter: 30-20.
The fourth quarter was a quiet affair until the final three minutes. Despite his team being held in the red zone. Blue Bombers kicker Medlock came on to kick his fifth field goal of the game and 60th of the season – setting a new CFL record for most field goals scored in a single season. The game finished 33-20 for the Blue Bombers.
Scoring Summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
|
|
Ottawa |
7 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
20 |
|
Winnipeg |
7 |
6 |
17 |
3 |
33 |
First Quarter
OTT – TD Taylor (Milo converts) – 13:48
WPG – TD Adams, pass from Nichols (Medlock converts) – 0:00
Second Quarter
WPG – FG Medlock – 5:56
OTT – FG Early – 2:35
WPG – FG Medlock – 1:59
Third Quarter
WPG – FG Medlock – 11:38
OTT – TD Van (Early converts) – 9:29
WPG – TD McDuffie (Medlock converts) – 8:59
OTT – FG Early – 4:30
WPG – TD Adams, pass from Nichols (Medlock converts) – 0:52
Fourth Quarter
WPG – FG Medlock – 2:47
Attendance: 24,432 (Sellout)
