September 17, 2017

Injured REDBLACKS finding ways to win

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS battled their way to an impressive 29-11 road victory against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 13, finding a way to get the job done after losing their top two quarterbacks.

With star quarterback Trevor Harris on the six-game injured list with a shoulder injury, the REDBLACKS entered Sunday’s pivotal CFL East matchup with Drew Tate as their starter.

Tate led the offence and played well early on, completing 21 of 29 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game with an injury in the second quarter.

“He did well, and we’ll have to wait and see what his deal is,”  Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell said after the game. “Initially he thought he just got the wind knocked out of him, but we don’t really know to what extent. He just doesn’t feel right, so we’re going to get a further evaluation and see how he goes.”

 

Ryan Lindley took over at quarterback for the REDBLACKS after the injury. Fortunately for Ottawa, their biggest scoring play of the game occurred before Tate was forced out of action. Diontae Spencer set the tone for the rest of the game when he took a missed field goal and returned it for an incredible 113-yard touchdown, grabbing momentum for the REDBLACKS.

“That’s a huge play in the CFL, and something we work on,” Campbell said. “I obviously credit Diontae, but we always preach to our guys up front to make sure you block and give him a chance, and our guys did that.”

The Alouettes also had to deal with a mid-game quarterback change, as Drew Willy came into the game after starter Darian Durant was unable to sustain any offence in the opening half.

Durant said after the game that he felt ready heading into Sunday’s matchup.

“I felt good,” Durant said. “I threw the ball well during warm ups, just for whatever reason I was rushing throws when it go to game time.”

Willy stepped up and was effective in moving the ball for Montreal, but it was too little too late in a game where Ottawa’s offence sped away early.

“For whatever reason we just didn’t get it going as an offence early,” Willy said after the game. “I’ve been in that same situation where they make a change. It’s my job as a professional, no matter how many reps I get during the week, to make sure I’m ready to go and make sure I can go through all my reads.”

The Alouettes will look to snap a five-game losing streak when they take on the Toronto Argonauts on the road next week, and the REDBLACKS will be aiming to remain first in the CFL East when they head to Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers.