The Ottawa Redblacks (4-10) hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-8) on Friday night from TD Place Stadium to kickoff Week 16. This was the second meeting of the season between these two teams. They met back in Week 9 in Mosaic where the Roughriders won a close game 26-24.
Ottawa had a seven-game losing streak coming into this game. It was their defense that paved the way for the offense to put up points. Together, they were able to end the streak.
In the first quarter, Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Dolegala threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker which made it 7-0 with 5:39 left. Next, Ottawa tied the game 7-7 on a one-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome with 51 seconds left.
On the final play of the first quarter, Saskatchewan backup quarterback Antonio Pipkin picked up a first down with a 4-yard gain with the game still tied 7-7.
On the third play of the second quarter, Jake Dolegala threw a deep pass to Samuel Emilus for a 54-yard touchdown. Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther missed the extra point. It was now 13-7 Saskatchewan with 13:27 left.
Later in the second quarter, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum completed three passes for 38 yards before the drive stalled. Ottawa punter Richie Leone punted the ball 54 yards into the endzone for a single point which made it 13-8 with 3:16 left of the second quarter.
Ottawa’s defense came up with a big play late in the second quarter. Deandre Lamont intercepted Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Dolegala’s pass and returned it for 44 yards before he was tackled on the Roughriders’ six-yard line. On the next play, Dustin Crum threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Bralon Addison. Then, Ottawa converted a two-point conversion which made it 16-13 with 22 seconds left of the second quarter.
Next, Ottawa defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV stripped the ball out of Jake Dolegala’s hands and Ottawa recovered it on the Roughriders- 35-yard line with 16 seconds left. The turnover led to Ottawa kicker Michael Domagala’s 42-yard field goal for a 19-13 lead at halftime.
Ottawa had 153 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 14 of 17 passes (82.4%) for 137 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 16 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had six carries for 24 yards, and three catches for 26 yards, and wide receiver Jaelon Acklin had three catches for 37 yards. Ottawa’s defense had two sacks in the first half.
Saskatchewan had 207 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Dolegala completed 13 of 16 passes (81.3%) for 161 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Running back Frankie Hickson had six carries for 61 yards, and Samuel Emilus had two catches for 60 yards and one touchdown. Saskatchewan’s defense made three sacks. Penalties were issued for both teams as they combined with nine penalties and 104 yards.
In the third quarter, Saskatchewan made it a five-point game when punter Adam Korsak punted the ball 55 yards inside the endzone where Brandin Dandridge took a knee to give up the single point. It was now 19-14 Ottawa with 11:53 left of the third quarter.
Ottawa running back Devonte Williams rushed for a gain of 30 yards before he was tackled on the Roughriders’ 40-yard line. Two plays later, Williams picked up four more yards but kicker Michael Domagala missed a 44-yard field goal with 9:34 left of the third quarter.
Late in the third quarter, Ottawa kicker Michael Domagala had another shot to put more points on the board. He converted a 32-yard field goal which made it 22-14 with 3:32 left. On the final play of the third quarter, Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Dolegala threw a pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for a two-yard loss. Ottawa led 22-14 with one quarter left to play.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Dolegala had the ball stripped by Bryce Carter and Ottawa recovered it on the Roughriders’ 47-yard line. Three plays later, Dustin Crum completed a short pass to Siaosi Mariner, who took it for an 11-yard touchdown which made it 29-14 with 13:38 left. The Redblacks had scored 18 points on turnovers.
Later in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan quarterback Jake Dolegala completed a pass to Tevin Jones for 24 yards but Justin Howell forced it out and Ottawa recovered it on their 40-yard line. Seven plays later, Dustin Crum faked a handoff before breaking a tackle on his way to scoring a 35-yard touchdown. It was now 36-14 with 6:12 left in the game.
Saskatchewan did not give up. After the defense forced a two-and-out, punt returner Mario Alford returned a punt for a 107-yard touchdown. Saskatchewan missed a two-point conversion. It was now 36-20 with 1:27 left in the game.
On the kickoff, Saskatchewan recovered the onside kick. Jake Dolegala completed two passes for 54 yards. Then, backup quarterback Antonio Pipkin scored a one-yard touchdown. They converted the two-point play and suddenly it was 36-28 Ottawa with one minute left of the game.
Their luck ran out as Ottawa recovered the onsides kick and went into victory formation to break their seven-game losing streak. Ottawa won the game by the final score of 36-28.
Ottawa played with desperation and their defense was the stars of the game. They had 40 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Ottawa needed this win badly to keep pace with Hamilton for a potential playoff spot.
Ottawa had 408 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 21 of 27 passes (77%) for 243 yards, two touchdowns, five carries for 53 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Devonte Williams had 22 carries for 136 yards, and three catches for 27 yards., and wide receiver Jaelon Acklin made five catches for 66 yards.
Saskatchewan did not do a good job protecting the football. The constant mistakes they made in this game is something they cannot afford to do late in the season or else they may find themselves out of a playoff spot.
Saskatchewan had 346 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Dolegala completed 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) for 294 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and two carries for eight yards. Running back Frankie Hickson had nine carries for 77 yards and two catches for six yards.
Wide receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker, Jerreth Sterns, Samuel Emilus, and Tevin Jones combined with 20 catches for 270 yards and one touchdown. Saskatchewan’s defense made 52 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Next Friday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit the B.C. Lions at 10:30 pm on CFL+, and the Ottawa Redblacks host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday at 4 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
