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Game Recap July 9, 2017

REDBLACKS edged by Argos in another close affair

Toronto Argonuts vs Ottawa REDBLACKS July 8, 2017 PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography

Mike Nellis  |  @96Nellis

A single point was the difference at TD Place Saturday night in front of another sellout crowd as the Toronto Argonauts etched out a narrow 26-25 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

Both teams held the lead twice during the game, which featured twists and turns from the opening kickoff.

The loss is Ottawa’s first at home on the 2017 Canadian Football League season after a tie with the Calgary Stampeders on opening night, and drops their record to 0-2-1.

Rick Campbell said while his team was fighting, it was little mistakes that ultimately led to the defeat – and that can’t happen in close games, he said.

“When you give them a free touch down on a fumble, that’s letting people off the hook,” he said. “We have to eliminate that – we have the makings to be a pretty good team, we’re not firing on all cylinders but we’re playing close games.”

Campbell said the CFL will feature many close games this season. “You watch all the games, and they all come down to the fourth quarter.”


Trevor Harris called the loss “extremely frustrating,” given the minuscule point difference.

“It’s not like we lost the game because we’re just screwed and not good enough. We have a very good team. I’m frustrated far beyond what any fan would feel, trust me – and we’re gonna come back hard and fight next week.”

The Ottawa quarterback had 30 completions over 43 passing attempts, for a percentage of 69.8 per cent. That was the better of the two quarterbacks, besting Toronto’s Ricky Ray by three passes.

After the Argonauts ran into penalty trouble early in the game, the REDBLACKS were able to take advantage and score the first points of the game. Trevor Harris found Mossis Madu from the six-yard line for the first touchdown of the game.

Ottawa opted for the two-point conversion and after the first missed attempted was called back on a Toronto offside, Madu made no mistake on the rush, giving the REDBLACKS the 8-0 lead. Penalties bit the Argos from the onset – they took seven penalties for 59 yards in first 10 minutes of game.

Ottawa’s defence soiled any chance at a rebound from the Argonauts. REDBLACKS defensive lineman Zach Evans dropped Ricky Ray with a sack on the Argos’ first drive after the opening Ottawa score.

Toronto Argonauts vs Ottawa REDBLACKS July 8, 2017 PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography

Toronto ended the first half at minus-47 yards offensively, as a product of the defensive efforts on Ottawa’s end.

The second quarter featured less offence, and more big defensive stops from the REDBLACKS defensive line.

Linebacker Nick Taylor had a big night, notching four tackles in each half for a game total of eight.

“When I get a chance to make a tackle, I’ll make a tackle,” Taylor said after the game. He said as a whole, the defence had a chance to “cash in” on more plays to help the team offensively.

Ottawa would add to their lead in the second, after a drive set up Brett Maher for a 29-yard field goal. They would concede a rouge after Lirim Hajrullahu missed a field goal making the score 12-1 going into half time.

Toronto’s one point was the least amount of points the REDBLACKS have conceded in a first half in franchise history.

The Argos finally caught a break after halftime at 10:07 of the third quarter, with Trevor Harris fumbling a snap on his own 32-yard line. Cassius Vaughn recovered, and scored, pulling Toronto within five.

SJ Green then put Toronto up for the first time, catching a long bomb from Ricky Ray and taking it to the house for a 55-yard touchdown and a 13-12 lead. They went for two on the convert, and Ray missed a pass as he looked to team up with Green on the far sideline but barely fired it out of his reach.

A Hajrullahu field goal put the Argonauts ahead by four at 16-12, before Ottawa continued the seesaw affair with a rushing touchdown from Ryan Lindley, and a 19-16 lead.

Toronto found another way back into the lead two minutes later at 9:20 of the fourth quarter. An Ottawa punt return had Harris on his 30-yard line, but threw an interception into the grasp of Jermaine Gabriel, who took the football 34 yards into good field position for Toronto.

Ray then found DeVier Posey from the Ottawa 10, giving Toronto their second lead of the ballgame.

Hajrullahu followed it up with another field goal to give Toronto the 26-19 lead.

Ottawa attempted a comeback and got into the end zone, after a pass down the middle from Harris found Greg Ellingson. Ellingson was tackled by Toronto’s Brandon Harris, but rolled over the defensive lineman and into the end zone before touching turf, giving Ottawa a touchdown.


The REDBLACKS needed an extra point to tie the game at 26, but the set for Maher was fumbled and the kicker was unable to punt for the tie.

Ottawa would rush up the field for one last chance after taking a punt with 21 seconds on the clock in the fourth quarter. They mowed their way to the 58-yard line, but the long field goal attempt from Maher narrowly missed wide right, sealing the nail-biting one point victory for the Argonauts.

A crowd of 24,347 were on the edge of their seats for the majority of the game. The packed house was the REDBLACKS’ 14th consecutive home sellout, and 27th in 30 total home dates since the team’s inception in 2014.

It’s a quick turnaround for Ottawa – the REDBLACKS return to action in six days, taking on the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium. Including Saturday’s loss, the team will play four games in 19 days.


GAME NOTES
RNation raised over 37,000 pounds of food for the Ottawa Food Bank as part of the Purolator Tackle Hunger program. Since CFL football returned to Ottawa in 2014, the REDBLACKS and Fury FC have raised more than 170,000 pounds of food for their community.

Greg Ellingson had a standout performance make several big catches and recording his 11th game with 100+ receiving yards since joining the REDBLACKS in 2015. Ellingson has 10 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s game.

GAME STATS

Box Score | Play by Play

SCORING SUMMARY 

First Quarter
OTT – TD Harris to Madu (Madu 2-pt convert) – 8:00
OTT – FG Maher – 1:21

Second Quarter
OTT – Single Maher – 5:13
TOR – Single Hajrullahu – 2:42

Third Quarter
TOR – TD Vaughn, fumble recovery (convert missed) – 10:07
TOR – TD Ray to Green (convert missed) – 5:20

Fourth Quarter
TOR – FG Hajrullahu – 14:41
OTT – TD Lindley (Maher convert) – 11:41
TOR – TD Ray to Posey (Hajrullahu) – 9:20
TOR – FG Hajrullahu – 6:39
OTT – TD Harris to Ellingson (convert missed) – 3:19