REDBLACKS edge Als in overtime to snap losing streak

CFL.ca Staff

MONTREAL — A pair of spectacular return touchdowns from DeVonte Dedmon helped lead the Ottawa REDBLACKS to a 30-27 overtime victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night. Dedmon set a franchise record with 377 combined return yards, and the REDBLACKS improved their record to 3-4 while snapping a four-game losing streak.

Montreal’s defence notched an interception and a fumble in the first quarter, and a pair of rushing touchdowns from Vernon Adams Jr. gave the team early momentum. But the REDBLACKS responded each time with an explosive special teams touchdown, as Dedmon broke free for a 111-yard kickoff return touchdown and a 95-yard punt return touchdown that gave Ottawa life heading into the second half.

An interception from defensive lineman Michael Wakefield and a Dominique Davis touchdown pass gave Ottawa its first lead, and the Als were dealt a major blow in the third quarter when Adams left the game with an apparent injury to the neck and head area. Backup quarterback Antonio Pipkin finished the game under centre for Montreal, and the team pulled ahead in the second half with a pair of field goals from kicker Boris Bede.

Ottawa made it a three-point game late in the fourth quarter on a 46-yard field goal from kicker Lewis Ward, and Ward tied the game on a 30-yard field goal in the final seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Ward then put the game away with a 14-yard field goal, extending his CFL record to 67 consecutive field goals made.

The Als defence finished the game with four takeaways, including a pair of interceptions from defensive back Ciante Evans. Running back William Stanback had another solid performance for Montreal with 88 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Montreal’s defence got a break in the first quarter when a Davis pass bounced off the hands of receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino and ended up in the waiting hands of Evans for an interception. Evans returned the pick 36 yards down to Ottawa’s 17-yard line, but the REDBLACKS’ defence prevented Montreal from reaching the end zone. The Als opted for an 18-yard field goal from Bede to take the early lead.

The Als’ defence notched another turnover later in the quarter when defensive back Taylor Loffler stripped the ball from Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli and recovered it himself. Adams and the Als’ offence made the most of the turnover, as the quarterback completed sharp passes to B.J. Cunningham and Quan Bray for first down gains before following it up with a highlight-reel 13-yard touchdown run.

Adams outran the Ottawa defenders to the corner of the end zone and dove towards the pylon for the score. Bede added the extra point to extend Montreal’s lead to 10 points.

Ottawa responded right away with a huge special teams play, as Dedmon broke into open space and turned on the jets for an amazing 111-yard kickoff return touchdown. Running back Brendan Gillanders ran the ball into the end zone for the two-point conversion to make the score 10-8 with just under five minutes to go in the first quarter.

Montreal kept things moving on offence and extended its lead on the next drive. Stanback broke free for a 21-yard run, and receiver Eugene Lewis caught a short pass and took the ball down to the one-yard line to set up Adams’ second rushing touchdown of the half. Bede kicked the convert to put the Als up 17-8 heading into the second quarter.

Dedmon struck again with another amazing return touchdown shortly before the half, breaking multiple tackles and spinning away from defenders on his way to scoring a 95-yard punt return touchdown. Ottawa’s ensuing two-point conversion attempt fell short, making it a 17-14 ball game heading into half-time.

Ottawa continued to build momentum after the half, as defensive lineman Michael Wakefield tipped an Adams pass into the air and caught it himself for the interception. The REDBLACKS’ offence made the most of the turnover deep in Montreal territory, with Davis throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Sinopoli that gave the team its first lead. Ward kicked the extra point to put Ottawa up 21-17.

The Als appeared to reclaim the lead on a deep touchdown pass from Adams to Bray, but the scoring play was overturned when a review revealed that Bray failed to maintain possession after going to the ground. Montreal’s offence was shut down from there, and Bede added a 30-yard field goal to cut Ottawa’s lead down to one point.

Montreal tied the game up on the ensuing kickoff after the REDBLACKS conceded a single point on a 90-yard kick from Bede, and the Als’ defence added two more turnovers in the third quarter with an interception and a fumble.

The Als grabbed the lead later in the quarter on a 45-yard field goal from Bede after Pipkin came in to replace an injured Adams, and Bede added an 18-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put Montreal up 27-21.

Ottawa responded with a 46-yard field goal from Ward to make it a three-point game with just under seven minutes remaining, and a big sack from defensive lineman Avery Ellis forced the Als to punt the ball away with two minutes to go. Ottawa sent the game to overtime with a 30-yard field goal from Ward as time ran out in the fourth quarter, and Ward gave Ottawa the victory with a 14-yard field goal in overtime.

Both teams will be in action again next Friday, with the Montreal Alouettes hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Ottawa REDBLACKS traveling to face the Edmonton Eskimos on the road.

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