The Ottawa Redblacks fell 27-22 to the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night at TD Place, extending their losing streak to 10 games dating back to last season. The loss drops Ottawa to 0-4 on the season, with a short turnaround ahead of a Thursday night game in Edmonton against the undefeated Elks.
Fourth Quarter Comeback Falls Short
Trailing by 11 points entering the fourth quarter, Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier connected with Geno Lewis on a 34-yard pass that set up a first-and-goal at the Saskatchewan one-yard line. After a series of miscues, short-yardage quarterback Bryson Barnes scored his first career CFL touchdown on a one-yard plunge. However, the two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Ottawa trailing by five points instead of three.
Maier got the ball back later in the quarter, but on a third-and-one gamble from just outside the Roughriders' 15-yard line with about two and a half minutes remaining, Ottawa failed to convert. According to head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, it was the sixth such failed third-down gamble for the Redblacks this season.
Controversial Calls and Special Teams Woes
Dinwiddie was visibly furious early in the third quarter, not just about a 101-yard punt return touchdown by Saskatchewan's Mathew Sexton — who was cut by the Redblacks in the offseason and was making his CFL debut — but also about a controversial officiating call. Before Sexton's touchdown, which broke a 13-13 tie, rookie receiver Cade McDonald was ruled to have been grounded on a catch that would have given Ottawa a first down, forcing the Redblacks to punt.
Dinwiddie reportedly gave an earful to the official standing near the Ottawa bench. On the ensuing drive, the Redblacks had a chance to tie the game but took a time-count violation on third-and-two from the Saskatchewan six-yard line while trying to draw the defence offside, settling for an 18-yard field goal by Brett Lauther.
Roughriders' Offensive Efficiency
Despite an uneven performance, Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris engineered an eight-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a 23-yard touchdown pass to KeeSean Johnson on the final play of the third quarter, putting the Roughriders ahead 27-16. Johnson had a strong game overall.
Lauther continued his streak of 13 consecutive successful field goal attempts with the chip shot.
Promising Start for Ottawa
The game began well for the Redblacks. On the second play from scrimmage, Harris's short pass intended for Kian Schaffer-Baker was tipped by Alonzo Addae's hard hit, and A.J. Allen — playing his first game against his former team — intercepted the ball. Maier then led an eight-play, 42-yard drive, finishing with a 15-yard touchdown pass to McDonald, who moved inside to fill in for the injured Keelan White.
Ottawa's defence forced a quick punt on Saskatchewan's next possession, and former Tiger-Cat Brian Cole II blocked Oscar Chapman's punt, giving the Redblacks the ball at the Roughriders' 31-yard line. However, Ottawa could only manage a 32-yard field goal by Lauther after a one-yard run by Greg Bell and a six-yard pass to McDonald.
Looking Ahead
The Redblacks now face a quick turnaround as they travel to Edmonton to take on the undefeated Elks on Thursday night. With an 0-4 record and a 10-game losing streak, Ottawa desperately needs a win to turn their season around.
