In a nail-biting, overtime finish, the Ottawa Redblacks tied the Calgary Stampeders in their first home game of the season. The game ended 26-26, making the Redblacks the only undefeated team so far this season, securing the first place position in the CFL standings.
“This tie might really help us out in their big picture down the road,” said head coach Rick Campbell. “[It will] help us out in the standings, so I wanted to be smart.”
The Redblacks had the opportunity to secure a win in the final minutes of the 4th quarter when Calgary committed three consecutive penalties, bringing the Redblacks within 5 yards of the end zone.
With one yard left running back Nic Grigsby fumbled the ball, which was retrieved by Calgary, bringing the game to overtime. After going back and forth neither team was able to gain the advantage.
“We were close, but [the game] kind of left everybody wanting for more, the fans the players everybody.”
Campbell told reporters after the game that they could have gone for the touchdown and potential win in the end, but it was more important to take the point.
Despite the unsatisfying end, the sold out crowd was still wowed by quarterback Trevor Harris, who completed 35 of 43 passes for 361 total yards. All three of his touchdown receptions were caught by Chris Williams.
Harris continued his impressive track record since he took over for an injured Henry Burris in the season opener against the Edmonton Eskimos. In just under three games he has completed 72 of 88 passes for over 1,000 yards.
The Redblacks came into this game with a 2-0 record on the road and a notable win against the Edmonton Eskimos, a well needed redemption after losing last year’s Grey Cup championship.
With the best start in the CFL so far, a deep offence and punishing defence, it looks like it is going to be a promising season for our Ottawa team.
They play five of their next seven games at home, with an upcoming game Wednesday against the Toronto Argonauts (who will probably be wishing they hadn’t traded Harris).
