The Ottawa Redblacks (1-2) returned to TD Place Stadium fresh off a bye week on Friday night against the Edmonton Elks (0-4). The two teams came into this game looking for their first win of the season. Ottawa was looking to snap a 13-game home losing streak. Not only did they accomplish that, they did it in a blowout.
In the first quarter, Ottawa running back De’Montre Tuggle had three carries for 10 yards while quarterback Tyrie Adams had a carry for 18 yards before the drive stalled on Edmonton’s 27-yard line. Kicker Lewis Ward made a 35-yard field goal to put Ottawa up 3-0 with 5:46 left.
After Ottawa’s defense forced a two-and-out, the Redblacks extended their lead. Quarterback Tyrie Adams threw a short pass to Marco Dubois. Dubois used his speed to pass by the Edmonton secondary including tip-toeing near the white line for a 54-yard touchdown. It was now 10-0 Ottawa with 4:05 left.
Edmonton’s offense made one first down on their next series before punting the ball back to Ottawa. The Redblacks faced second down to begin the second quarter up 10-0.
After failing to get the first down, Ottawa punted the ball to Edmonton. However, the Redblacks got the ball back thanks to their defense. Jarret Doege’s pass was intercepted by Damon Webb. Ottawa took advantage of the turnover with Lewis Ward making a 50-yard field goal for a 13-0 lead with 9:40 left.
Later in the second quarter, Lewis Ward made his second field goal for 15 yards that made it 16-0 with 5:18 left. Neither team did much the rest of the second quarter and the Redblacks led 16-0 at halftime.
Ottawa quarterback Tyrie Adams completed 7 of 10 passes (70%) for 136 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 31 yards. Running back De’Montre Tuggle had eight carries for 44 yards, while wide receiver Marco Dubois had two catches for 58 yards, and one touchdown as part of Ottawa’s 201 yards on offense with four first downs.
Meanwhile, Edmonton’s stats were abysmal. Quarterback Jarret Doege completed 7 of 12 passes (58.3%) for 56 yards, and one interception. The running game was a non-factor.
Kevin Brown, Shannon Brooks, and Khalil Tate combined with five carries for 19 yards, while wide receiver Maurice Ffrench had three catches for 37 yards as part of Edmonton’s 62 yards on offense with one first down.
In the third quarter, Edmonton finally got on the board. They went on a five-play drive for 43 yards which resulted in a touchdown. Quarterback Jarret Doege threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Ffrench. The Elks went for a two-point conversion but did not get it. It was now 16-6 with 3:45 left. Those were the only points scored in the third quarter.
Ottawa had three two-and-out drives. Ottawa had the ball late in the third quarter and made it to Edmonton’s 34-yard line which ended the third quarter facing third down.
Ottawa started the fourth quarter with Lewis Ward kicking a 41-yard field goal that made it 19-6 with 14:47 left. On Edmonton’s next series, Ottawa’s defense came away with two sacks by Kene Onyeka and Lorenzo Mauldin IV on Ottawa’s 53-yard line.
Edmonton punter Jake Julien made a nice punt for 54 yards that went into the endzone for a single point. It was now 19-7 with 11:44 left. Later in the fourth quarter, Ottawa put the game out of reach when De’Montre Tuggle ran for a 9-yard touchdown that made it 26-7 with 7:01 left.
Edmonton had a couple of long drives including going for it on third down twice but could not get them. One of them resulted in an interception by Douglas Coleman.
Ottawa had the ball for the final drive of the game. With under a minute left, De’Montre Tuggle ran for 57 yards before getting tackled. The Redblacks took a knee that ended the game. Ottawa snapped a 13-game home losing streak with a 26-7 win over the Edmonton Elks.
Ottawa quarterback Tyrie Adams did not have a bad game. He completed (70%) for 185 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 31 yards. Running back De’Montre Tuggle had a great game with 17 carries for 126 yards, and one touchdown, while wide receiver Marco Dubois had two catches for 58 yards and one touchdown as part of Ottawa’s 375 yards on offense.
Kicker Lewis Ward made four field goals with a long of 50 yards. Ottawa’s defense had 36 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions.
Edmonton quarterback Jarret Doege’s debut did not go well. He completed 19 of 33 passes (57.6%) for 223 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and four carries for eight yards.
Running back Kevin Brown had seven carries for 28 yards, while wide receiver Maurice Ffrench had six catches for 74 yards, and one touchdown as part of Edmonton’s 253 yards on offense. Edmonton’s defense had 47 tackles and one sack.
Next week, the Edmonton Elks play the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday night at 9 pm on CBS Sports Network. The Ottawa Redblacks battle the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
