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August 28, 2021

Lions Edge Redblacks In Home Opener

BC Lions vs Ottawa REDBLACKS August 28, 2021 PHOTO: Andrea Cardin/Freestyle Photography

In a rainy return to TD Place, the Ottawa REDBLACKS fell to the BC Lions in a tightly-contested game. Kicker Lewis Ward was perfect on four field goal attempts, and the defence again held their opponents to a pair of touchdowns, but the Lions were able to pull out a 24-12 win.

REDBLACKS quarterback Matt Nichols threw for a season-high 206 yards, while receivers Ryan Davis and Nate Behar stood out, posting 70 and 66 yards, respectively.

“There’s a lot of time left in the year. Like Aaron Rodgers says: ‘no need for panic’ or anything like that,” said Behar, “It’s just tightening it up. The door is moving, it’s got to be kicked in now.”

It was another defensive battle for the REDBLACKS, as both teams traded field goals early in the contest. Jimmy Camacho got the Lions on the board first, but a clinical Ottawa drive resulted in Ward tying the game 3-3 just over six minutes later.

Camacho would again give BC a three-point lead early in the second quarter, after the REDBLACKS defence stood tall, backed up against their end zone.

The Lions added to their lead just before the half, when Reilly sneaked across the goal line for a touchdown with 2:32 to go, but Camacho missed on the extra point attempt, making the score 12-3 in favour of BC.

The REDBLACKS flipped the field with a 37-yard kick return by Devonte Dedmon, and a 19-yard reception by Behar teed up a 48-yard field goal by Ward, cutting the Ottawa deficit to 12-6.

On the ensuing drive, REDBLACKS defensive lineman Davon Coleman stalled the Lions with a massive sack, and the teams went into the half with Ottawa trailing by six.

Camacho tacked on another 12-yard field goal to begin the second half, but the REDBLACKS responded with another methodical drive, powered by big receptions from receivers Dedmon, and Davis. Ward was again flawless, this time from 47 yards, making it a six-point game once more.

A subsequent REDBLACKS defensive stand was highlighted by RNation bringing the noise, and causing a miscommunication among the Lions offensive unit, resulting in a procedure penalty, followed by a punt.

The REDBLACKS converted the next drive into another Ward field goal, bringing the score to 15-12, and Don Unamba came up with a huge pass breakup to begin the fourth quarter.

4:35 into the final frame, however, Reilly connected with receiver Jevon Cottoy for a 46-yard touchdown, and the extra point gave BC a 22-12 lead.

Lions punter Stefan Flintoft added a rouge with 2:32 to go, and a REDBLACKS turnover on the following drive allowed him to tack on another, and hand Ottawa a 24-12 defeat.

GAME NOTES

Despite injuries to key players in defensive backs Abdul Kanneh, and Sherrod Baltimore, as well as the absence of defensive lineman Cleyon Laing, the REDBLACKS surrendered just two touchdown.

Devonte Dedmon had another outstanding night in the return game, tallying 132 yards across punts and kickoffs.

The REDBLACKS took up a committee approach in the running game, with running back Justin Davis, and receivers Dedmon, Ryan Davis, and quarterback Matt Nichols combining for 72 yards on the ground.

Lewis Ward’s field goals tallied up to a whopping total of 153 yards.

This is the first time in REDBLACKS history that they’ve lost a home opener, seeing their record fall to    4-1-2.

The REDBLACKS’ next opponent will be the Montreal Alouettes (1-2), whom they last faced on November 1, 2019, in the first of four meetings this season. It’s a 7:30pmEDT kickoff on Friday, September 3 here at TD Place.