For the second week in a row, Dustin Crum engineered some late-game heroics to give the Ottawa REDBLACKS an overtime victory.
Visiting the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium, Sunday night, the 24-year-old threw for 257 yards, and two touchdowns, leading another game-winning drive in overtime for a thrilling 43-41 Ottawa victory. Ante Milanovic-Litre rushed in a pair of scores, while Justin Hardy, and Nate Behar had touchdown receptions, the latter of whom hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime.
On the defensive side of the ball, the REDBLACKS battled through injuries to weather a strong Calgary passing attack. A Brandin Dandridge pick six got the Ottawa offence started, while Lorenzo Mauldin jumped on a Calgary fumble, and Alonzo Addae hauled in the first interception of his CFL career in the third quarter.
A wild first half saw the REDBLACKS get off the field, defensively, before Crum drove them down the field, setting up a 33-yard field goal by Lewis Ward to open the scoring.
Calgary responded, soon after, with Jake Maier hitting a 54-yard touchdown pass to Clark Barnes: the first of his CFL career. Rene Paredes couldn’t make good on the extra point try, however, keeping this a three-point game.
That was until the final minute of the first quarter, when Dandridge picked Maier off, and made a house call for the second straight week. Ward was perfect on the PAT, giving the REDBLACKS a 10-7 lead.
As the Stampeders tried to respond, Maier fumbled a snap, and Lorenzo Mauldin hopped on the ball for Ottawa, setting his offence up with another chance. Crum made a terrific play with his legs, paving the way for a three-yard touchdown run by Milanovic-Litre, for a 17-6 Ottawa lead.
Maier again found success with the deep ball, however, connecting with Marken Michel for a 33-yard touchdown, narrowing the Ottawa lead to 17-13.
Both teams scored field goals before the half — one for Ottawa and two for Calgary — giving the REDBLACKS a 20-19 advantage at halftime.
The frenetic pace continued in the second half. Early in the third quarter, Tommy Stevens snuck home a touchdown for the Stampeders, but it took the REDBLACKS all of a couple minutes to respond. Crum connected with Hardy for a 24-yard touchdown strike, and after the PAT, Ottawa found themselves up 28-25.
A Cody Grace punt single narrowed the lead to two, but Calgary went back on top when Maier hit Michel again, making this a 32-28 game.
With time winding down, Crum again found some late-game heroics; driving the REDBLACKS down the field, and capping it off with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Behar, and the REDBLACKS took a 35-32 lead.
Another Paredes field goal tied it late, and the Stamps struck first in overtime with a touchdown reception by Trey Odoms-Dukes. Calgary couldn’t make good on the two-point convert attempt, however, setting the stage for more magic from Crum.
Milanovic-Litre ran the ball in from three yards out to complete a clinical drive, and with the game on the line, Crum again found Behar in the endzone, securing a 43-41 win for the REDBLACKS.
Ottawa will look to make it three straight, Friday night, when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at TD Place.
