July 6, 2014

2014 CFL Replay: A look back at Week 2

THE CANADIAN PRESS

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Week 2 of the 2014 CFL season is officially in the books.

On Thursday night, the Ottawa REDBLACKS debuted under the bright lights of Winnipeg’s Investors Group Field, comming just short of notching a victory in their first ever came, dropping a 36-28 decision to the Blue Bombers.

Less than 24 hours later, Friday Night Football made its return to TSN, with the Montreal Alouettes registering their first win of the new season, downing the visitin Lions 24-9. Later that same night, the Ticats and Eskimos went the distance, battling back and forth until the very last play of the game, one that ultimately ended with the Eskimos on top 28-24.

Finally, Saturday afternoon saw the Boatmen rebound from a rough Week 1 by racking up an impressive 48 points against the defending champs.

Here’s a recap of the week that was:

28  
  36
H. Burris: 17/30, 241 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT  
C. Walker: 15 att, 62 yds, 1 TD  
K Johnson: 5 rec, 76 yds, 0 TD  
  D. Willy: 21/33, 307 yds, 0 TD, 1 INT
  N. Grigsby: 14 att, 62 yds, 3 TD
  N. Moore: 5 rec, 88 yds, 0 TD

Running back Nic Grigsby rushed for a trio of touchdowns as he and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers topped Ottawa 36-28 in the REDBLACKS’ first game in franchise history Thursday night.

Ottawa officially made its return to the Canadian Football League for the first time since 2005 as the expansion REDBLACKS kicked off their regular season schedule.

Lost in the hype of last week’s Bombers opener – known as “Willy-peg” by many fans and media – was the play of Grigsby who made his first career CFL start in place of incumbent starter Will Ford.  Grigsby put together a solid 122 yards on the ground against an Argos defensive front that was impressive in pre-season.

 » Recap: Bombers back notches three majors in win
 » Highlights: Grigsby and Bombers fight back for the win
 » View Game Stats
 » Images: Ottawa at Winnipeg
 » Video: Walker makes history with first Ottawa TD
 » Video: Washington turns momentum with kickoff return TD

 

9     24
K. Glenn: 13/25, 159 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT  
S. Logan: 6 att, 28 yds, 0 TD  
E. Jackson: 6 rec, 72 yds, 0 TD  
  T. Smith:  17/29, 187 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
  B. Whitaker: 12 att, 76 yds, 1 TD
  S. Green:  3 rec, 66 yds, 0 TD

The Alouettes got touchdowns from both sides of the ball early and didn’t look back as Montreal topped the BC Lions 24-9 Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium.

Chip Cox took a pitch off an interception and Brandon Whitaker rumbled as the Alouettes jumped out to a 14-0 lead early.  Led by four quarterback sacks by John Bowman, the Alouttes defence did the rest as they shut down the Leos to kick off Week 2 in the CFL.

Heading into Friday night, the Lions and Alouettes were looking for their respective quarterbacks to step up after Troy Smith and Kevin Glenn had rough outings in Week 1 losses.

 » Recap: Alouettes score early, handle Lions at home
 » Highlights: Als notch first win of 2014 at home
 » View Game Stats
 » Images: BC at Montreal
 » Video: Paxson Pick and Lateral
 » Video: Whitaker runs for 6

 

24     28
J. Masoli: 5/15, 118 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT  
C. Gable: 6 rsh, 43 yds, 1 TD  
C. Koch: 2 rec, 79 yds, 0 TD  
  M. Reilly: 29/40, 253 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
  T. Thomas: 11 rsh, 28 yds, 0 TD
  F. Stamps: 5 rec, 74 yds, 0 TD

After two earlier misses, Grant Shaw was clutch when it counted, hitting a pair of field goals to help the Edmonton Eskimos edge out the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-24 at Commonwealth Stadium Friday night.

The Tiger-Cats showed outstanding resolve, battling all game despite losing their QB Zach Collaros who left the game in the second quarter with an injury after taking a hit from Eskimos DE Odell Willis.

On the second consecutive game of a Western road trip to start the year, the Ticats looked to bounce back after running into an inspired Saskatchewan Roughriders defence that sacked quarterback Collaros 10 times in Week 1.

 » Recap: Esks kicker clutch when it counts
 » Highlights: Clutch win for new-look Esks
 » View Game Stats
 » Images: Hamilton at Edmonton
 » Video: Watkins Rip and Score
 » Video: Chris Jones Post-Game Reaction

 

15     48
D. Durant: 17/29, 295 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT  
A. Allen: 9 att, 66 yds, 0 TD  
B. Swain: 63 rec, 76 yds, 0 TD  
  R. Ray: 29/37, 407 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
  C. Steele: 8 att, 59 yds, 2 TD
  C. Owens: 11 rec, 159 yds, 1 TD

Ricky Ray was spot on, throwing for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Toronto Argonauts held the Saskatchewan Roughriders in check to the tune of 48-15 Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.  Running back Curtis Steele notched a pair of touchdowns in the victory as well.

Ray finished 29 of 27 for 407 yards and the four majors.  He did not throw an interception.

Criticized for their performance last week in Winnipeg, the Argonauts defence was buzzing all afternoon long, getting to Riders pivot Darian Durant five times and getting a late score of their own on a 108-yard interception return touchdown.

 » Recap: Ray captains Argos as they sail past Riders
 » Highlights: Statement Game for the Argos
 » View Game Stats
 » Images: Saskatchewan at Toronto
 » Video: Molden’s 108-yard Pick Six
 » Video: Post-Game Reaction from Darian Durant