Dan Plaster
The Riders had a chance to play spoiler tonight with the REDBLACKS paying their second ever visit to Mosaic Stadium. After the Ti Cats lost earlier this afternoon, Ottawa had a chance to climb to within two points of first place in the CFL East Division.
Saskatchewan opened the scoring with a 33 yard Paul McCalum field goal for the early 3-0 lead.
Ottawa’s third drive was their first scoring drive. After a Ray Early illegal punt that went out of bounds put the REDBLACKS in great field position, Chris Milo cashed in with a short field goal to tie the game at three late in the first quarter.
It was then the Naaman Roosevelt show, Kevin Glenn hit the firmer NFL vet on the fly and he did the rest, racing 71 yards for the touchdown and the 10-7 lead,
Ottawa replied on their next drive, Henry Burris escaped the pressure and his Greg Ellingson for the 20 yard score to tie the game at 10 apiece.
It was the Riders who were able to hit the scoreboard again, this time a short 53 yard drive was finished with a 20 yard Rob Bagg touchdown to push the Riders up seven again, 17-10.
The REDBLACKS picked up another Chris Milo field goal and a punt single, while Paul McCallum hit his second field goal of the night in the second quarter to give the Green and White the 20-14 lead at the half.
Ottawa went down the field on their first drive of the second half and was finished with a Chris Williams TD reception and after the extra point, the REDBLACKS led 21-20.
Paul McCallum replied with a 49 yard field goal on the ensuing drive to give back the Riders the 23-21 edge.
Ottawa came right back on the next drive and Chris Milo missed a 37yard field goal, as Nic Demski took out out of the end zone to the one yard line.
The Riders and REDBLACKS flip flopped field goals and missed field goals until Ottawa’s Henry Burris jumped into the end zone from one yard out in the fourth quarter, Chris Milo missed the convert and the Riders trailed by three, 27-24.
Tristan Jackson wowed crowed on the ensuing kick off return that put the Riders in field goal territory, McCallum was good and we were tied with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Henry Burris led the REDBLACKS down the field in a hurry and it set up a short game winning Chris Milo field goal that ended the Riders night 30-27.
The Riders will hit the field next Sunday to host the Montreal Aloutettes. Its a 2pm kick off at Mosaic Stadium
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Ottawa REDBLACKS 3 11 7 9 30
Saskatchewan Roughriders 10 10 3 4 27
Rider Leaders:
Passing
Kevin Glenn 16/29 227yds 2TD 1INT
Receiving:
Naaman Roosevelt 3/95 TD
Rushing:
Jerome Messam 10/53
Defence:
Macho Harris 5 Tackles 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Knock Down
