The Ottawa Redblacks (3-3) visited McMahon Stadium on Sunday night against the Calgary Stampeders (2-4) to close out Week 7. Both teams had comeback wins last week.
In the first quarter, Ottawa running backs Devonte Williams and Ante Milanovic-Lite combined for 45 yards rushing helping the Redblacks reach the Stampeders’ 21-yard line. Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward converted a 33-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 7:04 left.
On Calgary’s first possession of the game, quarterback Jake Maier threw two passes for 56 yards. Then, Maier faked a handoff before throwing a deep pass to Clark Barnes. Barnes fought off an Ottawa player to score a 54-yard touchdown. However, kicker Rene Paredes missed the extra point. Calgary led 6-3 with 5:09 left.
Later in the first quarter, Ottawa’s defense came up with a big play. Jake Maier attempted to throw the ball to Reggie Begelton. Ottawa defensive back Brandin Dandridge jumped the route to intercept the ball and took it for a 33-yard touchdown. It was 10-6 with 15 seconds left.
Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw an 11-yard pass to Clark Barnes at their 50-yard line when the first quarter ended trailing 10-6. Once again, Ottawa’s defense took advantage of another turnover by Calgary to start the second quarter. Jake Maier lost the ball trying to hand it off to Dedrick Mills and Lorenzo Mauldin IV recovered it on Calgary’s 42-yard line.
Four plays later, former Calgary running back Ante Milanovic-Lite found an opening created by the offensive line for a three-yard touchdown for a 17-6 lead with 12:44 left.
Calgary needed to respond on their next drive. On the eighth play, Jake Maier dropped back before throwing the ball right into the hands of Marken Michel for a 33-yard touchdown. Michel did a great job adjusting to the ball before making the catch. It was now 17-13 Ottawa with 7:33 left.
Calgary’s defense stepped up on Ottawa’s next drive when Cameron Judge and T.J. Rayam sacked Dustin Crum which forced third down on Calgary’s 29-yard line. Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward converted a 36-yard field goal for a 20-13 lead with 3:35 left.
For the rest of the second quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 26-yard field goal and a 32-yard field goal which made it a one-point game. Ottawa led 20-19 at halftime.
Ottawa had 173 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 7 of 9 passes (77.8%) for 81 yards, and led the rushers with four carries for 53 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had four carries for 31 yards, and wide receiver Jaelon Acklin had three catches for 44 yards. The Redblacks’ defense had one sack, and Ottawa had three penalties for 30 yards.
Calgary had 227 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 14 of 18 passes (77.8%) for 214 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and two carries for three yards. Calgary’s running game was not effective with Dedrick Mills carrying the ball three times for seven yards.
Wide receivers Clint Barnes, Marken Michel, and Tre Odoms-Dukes combined for ten catches logging 182 yards. Calgary’s defense had three sacks, and the offense lost the ball twice.
In the third quarter, Calgary would get the lead. Jake Maier threw a 26-yard pass to Cole Tucker plus a horse collar penalty on Ottawa gave Calgary extra yards. Two plays later, backup quarterback Tommy Stevens scored a one-yard touchdown with a quarterback sneak. Calgary tied a two-point conversion but did not get it. It was 25-20 with 11:23 left.
Calgary’s lead was short-lived. Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hardy. Then, Dustin Crum scored a two-point conversion that made it 28-25 with 3:07 left. Calgary had the ball on their 21-yard line to start the fourth quarter down 28-25.
In the fourth quarter, Calgary punter Cody Grace punted the ball for 72 yards that went into the endzone and out of bounds for a single point. It was 28-26 with 11:05 left.
Later, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw a 95-touchdown pass down the middle to Marken Michel, who sped his way into the endzone. They went for a two-point conversion but did not get it. It was 32-28 with 8:01 left.
Ottawa’s defense came up with another big play when Adam Auclair intercepted Jake Maier. The Redblacks took advantage when Dustin Crum threw the ball with pressure in his face to Nate Behar for a 23-yard touchdown. It was now 35-32 with 1:20 left. Calgary kicker Rene Paredes converted a 47-yard field goal which tied the game 35-35 heading to overtime.
In overtime, Calgary quarterback Jake Maier threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Tre Odoms-Dukes but they missed the extra point. Calgary led 41-35. It was Ottawa’s turn. The Redblacks tied the game on a three-yard touchdown run by Ante Milanovic-Lite. Then, Dustin Crum converted a two-point play to Nate Behar and the Redblacks beat the Stampeders 43-41.
For the second consecutive week, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum led the Redblacks to an overtime victory. He continues his great start and is slowly making a case to be a starting quarterback in the CFL.
If he continues this trend, he will be sought after by the other CFL teams this offseason. Crum finished the night completing 23 of 29 passes (79.3%) for 254 yards, two touchdowns and led the rushers with nine carries for 63 yards.
Ottawa running back Devonte Williams had ten carries for 57 yards and one touchdown. Wide receivers Justin Hardy and Nate Behar combined for 15 catches logging 172 yards, and two touchdowns. Ottawa’s defense made big plays all game long. They allowed 467 yards, with 38 yards, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
Calgary’s woes were self-inflicted. They would go on good drives only for turnovers or bad play-calling that killed drives. Quarterback Jake Maier did not play a bad game. He made some great throws to his receivers. He completed 28 of 38 passes (73.7%) for 450 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and three carries for ten yards. Maier continues to take risks by throwing the ball into coverage which led to two interceptions.
He needs to learn if there is no play, just throw the ball away and play another down. The coaches need to come up with new plays because the other teams have Maier figured out. They know his moves and Calgary needs to change it up.
Calgary running back Dedrick Mills had six carries for 21 yards. Wide receivers Marken Michel, Clark Barnes, Reggie Begelton, and Tre Odoms-Dukes combined for 22 catches logging 402 yards and two touchdowns. Calgary’s defense allowed 399 yards, with 55 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble.
Next week, the Ottawa Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday at 7:30 pm on CFL+, while the Calgary Stampeders battle the Montreal Alouettes next Sunday at 7 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
