September 28, 2019

Late touchdown lifts Esks over REDBLACKS

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA — The Edmonton Eskimos scored a late touchdown and came out on top against the Ottawa REDBLACKS with a 21-16 road win on Saturday. Logan Kilgore threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tevaun Smith in the final minutes to give Edmonton the victory, and the Esks now hold a 7-7 record after snapping a four-game losing streak.

Stingy defensive play made an immediate impact, as both defensive units did not surrender any big plays or touchdowns in the first half. The REDBLACKS struck first late in the opening quarter with a field goal from Lewis Ward, and the Esks added a single point in the second quarter.

A pair of field goals from Sean Whyte gave Edmonton a 7-3 lead heading into half-time, and the Esks extended their lead with a long touchdown drive to start the third quarter. But Ottawa got things going in the fourth quarter with Ward’s second field goal and a rushing score from Dominique Davis.

Ottawa later lost Davis to an injury, and Kilgore engineered a late scoring drive to retake the lead and claim the win. Kilgore threw a key 51-yard completion to DaVaris Daniels to get the drive going, and he capped it off with the game-winning touchdown toss to Smith.

Kilgore threw for 223 yards while completing 19 of 28 passes.

Edmonton’s defence held the REDBLACKS to just 56 passing yards in the first half, and they finished the game with six sacks while forcing 10 punts.

RELATED:
» Logan Kilgore takes step forward in win over REDBLACKS
» Images: Eskimos at REDBLACKS
» By the Numbers: View Boxscore
» Watch: Kilgore keeps drive alive for first score
» Watch: Double coverage, no problem for Smith

 

Jonathon Jennings got the start at quarterback for Ottawa, but Davis rotated in early and helped lead the REDBLACKS to their first score late in the opening quarter. A 19-yard catch-and-run from receiver Marco Dubois brought the ball into kicking range, and Ottawa grabbed the game’s first lead on a 42-yard field goal from Ward after the drive stalled.

Edmonton cut into the lead in the second quarter when the REDBLACKS conceded a single after a 50-yard punt from Hugh O’Neill.

The Esks grabbed a one-point lead shortly before half-time when a 17-yard pass from Kilgore to Greg Ellingson helped set up a clutch 50-yard field goal from Whyte. Back-to-back sacks from Esks defensive lineman Mike Moore forced Ottawa to punt the ball in the final minute of the half, and Kilgore capitalized by finding Ellingson for an 18-yard gain that set up Whyte’s second field goal.

Whyte knocked the 47-yard kick through the uprights as time expired to give Edmonton a 7-3 lead.

The Esks came out strong on offence to start the second half, putting together a 10-play, 66-yard drive that saw them move the ball with tough yardage on the ground to extend the lead. Running back C.J. Gable gained 45 yards on five carries to set up a one-yard rushing touchdown from Kilgore, and Whyte kicked the convert to put Edmonton up 14-3.

 

Ottawa gained ground on Edmonton early in the fourth quarter with a big 52-yard field goal from Ward. Davis moved the ball into range with completions to Dominique Rhymes and R.J. Harris, and the successful kick gave the REDBLACKS a needed momentum boost.

The REDBLACKS forced a quick punt on defence, and the offence began driving once again. Davis dropped back and found Rhymes for a huge 45-yard gain that sparked the drive, and a 25-yard catch-and-run from Brendan Gillanders led to a quarterback sneak touchdown from Davis two plays later.

Davis also added the two-point conversion on a quarterback sneak to tie the game at 14 apiece with under 10 minutes remaining.

But Davis left the game late in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent upper body injury while taking a sack, and the Esks began to find a rhythm on offence in the final minutes. Kilgore connected with Daniels deep down the field for a 51-yard gain after the receiver used a double move to get open.

Smith capped off the drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch. The play was challenged, but the call stood with Smith somehow maintaining possession as he went to the ground. Whyte added the extra point to give Edmonton a 21-14 lead.

Edmonton surrendered a safety in the final seconds while grinding out the clock, giving them a 21-16 win.

Week 17 will see the Edmonton Eskimos travel on the road to face the East-leading Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while the Ottawa REDBLACKS will get a bye week before facing the Toronto Argonauts on the road in Week 18.