BC Lions vs Ottawa REDBLACKS August 26, 2017 PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography
Carlos Verde | @Carlos77Verde
The Ottawa REDBLACKS claimed their second straight win surviving a fourth-quarter scare on Saturday afternoon to beat the BC Lions 31-24 in front of a energized sell-out crowd on gorgeous afternoon at TD Place.
Quarterback Trevor Harris and company staked themselves to a comfortable 28-point lead, but a trio of fourth-quarter BC (5-5) touchdowns made for nervous moments down the stretch. A key interception from Jonathan Newsome in his Ottawa (3-6-1) debut sealed the victory.
Brett Maher opened the scoring for the REDBLACKS midway through the first quarter, when he booted a 41-yard field goal.
The Nebraska product then etched his name in the history books, pushing a 48-yard kick through the uprights; the field goal was his eighth-straight successful attempt, setting a new Ottawa pro-football record for consecutive kicks made.
The REDBLACKS broke into the end zone late in the second quarter, when short-yardage quarterback Ryan Lindley broke the plane for the major. Running back Mossis Madu’s plunging two-point convert attempt was stifled, and the lead sat at 12-0.
A 17-yard chip shot from Maher extended the lead to 15-0.
Late in the first half, BC kicker Ty Long missed a 34-yard field goal; Diontae Spencer ripped off a 91-yard return to take the ball down to the BC 38. Two plays later, a 40-yard Maher field goal sent the REDBLACKS to the locker room up 18-0.
Madu furthered the Ottawa lead four minutes into the third quarter, sprinting into the end zone from the 8-yard line. Maher’s convert made it 25-0.
Following a strong goal-line stand by the REDBLACKS, BC got on the board via a 10-yard field goal by Long.
After driving the length of the field, Harris was picked off in the BC end zone by Loucheiz Purifoy; the defence picked up its quarterback, stopping the ensuing Lions drive inside the BC half.
Six plays later, Harris found Madu in the end zone for the latter’s second touchdown of the day. Maher’s convert was blocked and Ottawa’s lead stood at 31-3.
Early in the fourth quarter, a four-yard Jeremiah Johnson rush touchdown — plus ensuing Ty Long convert — made it 31-10.
On BC’s next drive, Johnson caught a Travis Lulay, who replaced Jennings for the second half, three-yard pass for a touchdown. Long’s convert cut the lead to 31-17.
Harris was then intercepted in his own half, and one play later Lulay connected with Bryan Burnham for a touchdown. Following Long’s convert, the Lions had cut their deficit to 31-24.
Lulay and company got the ball back with 1:45 remaining, but Newsome’s critical interception — facilitated by a Sherrod Baltimore tip — sealed the win.
The REDBLACKS will travel to Montreal next Thursday and, depending on Saturday night’s result between the Argos and Stamps, could be playing for tops in the East.
What They’re Saying
“Our guys did well to get ahead of them, they’re a good football team. I’m happy for the guys, happy with the win. It’s another psychological hurdle we’ll get over. It took us too long to answer back, but we eventually did. Every win you get is a confidence builder.” — HC Rick Campbell
“This team’s a championship-calibre team, but (we’ve) got to make sure we keep getting better every week. (BC) made plays to make it close, but we’ve got to be able as offence to put it away. It’s a lesson learned in a win here. (Next week’s) game against Montreal just became a big game for both sides. We have to make sure we lick our wounds real quick, and get ready to go.” — QB Trevor Harris
Game Notes
Travis Lulay replaced Jonathon Jennings under centre for BC at half time to great effect…Running back Mossis Madu Jr. earned TSN’s player-of-the-game honours with a two-TD, 82-yard performance…Receiver Jake Harty led the REDBLACKS with 68 receiving yards — a career high.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
OTT — FG Maher — 7:31
OTT — FG Maher — 4:01
Second Quarter
OTT — TD Lindley (Madu 2-pt. conv. stopped) — 3:57
OTT — FG Maher — 1:37
OTT — FG Maher — 0:06
Third Quarter
OTT — TD Madu (Maher conv.) — 11:00
BC — FG Long — 6:47
OTT — TD Harris to Madu (Maher conv. blocked) — 0:26
Fourth Quarter
BC — TD Johnson (Long conv.) — 11:51
BC — TD Lulay to Johnson (Long conv.) — 5:11
BC — TD Lulay to Burnahm (Long conv.) — 2:16
Attendance
24,887 (sell-out)
