Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) runs the ball in for a touchdown during second half CFL action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina. The Ottawa Redblacks defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 33-32 on Saturday, October 13, 2017. (CFL PHOTO - Matt Smith)
For a third straight season, the Ottawa REDBLACKS are heading back to the playoffs!
The Ottawa REDBLACKS, who reversed 13- and nine-point deficits, walked off the Saskatchewan Roughriders via 33-32 decision at the new Mosaic Stadium in Regina and clinching a home playoffs game in the process as the REDBLACKS head into their first bye-week of the season atop the East Division.
This, the same REDBLACKS (7-9-1) team that had lost heartbreaker upon heartbreaker earlier this season; against the same Riders (8-7) team that stole a win from them on TD Place turf two weeks ago.
With four seconds on the clock, the ball on the one-yard line and the game on the line, the towering figure of REDBLACKS short-yardage quarterback Ryan Lindley trundled into the end zone to sweep the western trip and move Ottawa back into first place.
The Riders opened the scoring on their first drive of the ballgame, as Tyler Crapigna booted a 31-yard field goal.
Kicker Brett Maher drew Ottawa level with a 38-yard kick of his own with five minutes left in the first quarter, but a pair of second-quarter Crapigna field goals from 21 and 38 yards out pushed the hosts’ lead to 9-3.
Former REDBLACK Kienan LaFrance gave the Riders a two-score lead on a six-yard catch-and-run touchdown; Crapigna’s convert made it 16-3.
Quarterback Trevor Harris and the Ottawa offence responded on the following possession, as — following a 36-yard completion to Dominique Rhymes — the REDBLACK pivot found Diontae Spencer at the back of the end zone for a major. Maher’s convert sent the squads to the room with the green men up 16-10.
Crapigna and Maher traded field goals early in the third quarter, the former’s an 18-yard chip shot and the latter’s a tougher 48-yard boot.
Veteran Ottawa linebacker Antoine Pruneau then swung momentum with a critical, one-handed pick-six on a wobbling Kevin Glenn throw. The subsequent Maher convert gave the REDBLACKS their first lead — 20-19 — of the night.
However, Crapigna restored the Riders lead with a 35-yard field goal and Glenn added some insurance with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Holley on the second play of the fourth quarter. Following Crapigna’s convert and a later field goal, Ottawa trailed 32-20.
The REDBLACKS would not go down without a fight, as Harris found Ellingson for a pretty 11-yard touchdown; following the Maher convert, Ottawa trailed 32-27.
After a key defensive stop and strong nine-play offensive drive, Lindley’s unchallenged sneak improbably lifted Rick Campbell’s team back into first place in the East.
Game Notes
LB Taylor Reed and DB Sherrod Baltimore each had a game-high eight tackles…Ottawa trailed by 12 points with 4:12 remaining…REC Brad Sinopoli (shoulder) did not dress for Ottawa on Friday night in Regina…Saskatchewan REC Duron Carter hauled in a career-high 231 yards.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
SSK — FG Crapigna — 12:28
OTT — FG Maher — 5:03
Second Quarter
SSK — FG Crapigna — 13:45
SSK — FG Crapigna — 9:39
SSK — TD Glenn to LaFrance (Crapigna conv.) — 2:41
OTT — TD Harris to Spencer (Maher conv.) — 0:48
Third Quarter
SSK — FG Crapigna — 12:24
OTT — FG Maher — 9:13
OTT — TD Int Ret Pruneau (Maher conv.) — 8:23
SSK — FG Crapigna —5:08
Fourth Quarter
SSK — TD Glenn to Holley (Crapigna conv.) — 14:12
SSK — FG Crapigna — 6:12
OTT — TD Harris to Ellingson (Maher conv.) — 2:38
OTT — TD Lindley (2-pt. conv. failed) — 0:04
