ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
OTTAWA – It was a historic night in Ottawa, something magical to be a part of.
The first home game in REDBLACKS history, the first game at TD Place and a rekindling of the Ricky Ray and Henry Burris rivalry for the first time since last year’s Eastern Final.
A standing ovation for the boys in Red and Black and raucous boos for the boys in Double Blue preceded what was an exciting night in CFL history.
The Boatmen would win the opening coin toss and start their drive with two consecutive passes to Anthony Coombs for the first down. Penalties and short yardage success for the Argos pushed the ball to the REDBLACKS 30-yard line before two deep corner routes by Ricky fell incomplete.
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Week 4 – Argos 17, REDBLACKS 18 |
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IMAGES: Week 4 – REDBLACKS Home Opener |
K/P Swayze Waters then became the answer to a CFL trivia question when he connected on a 37-yard field goal for the first points in TD Place history staking the Argos to a 3-0 lead.
Ottawa then got their first “first” at TD Place, however it was the first punt following a two-and-out drive.
The REDBLACKS then got on the board on their next posession as K/P Brett Maher connected on a field goal of his own to bring the game to 3’s.
After the Argos scored a single to open the second quarter, the REDBLACKS responded and grabbed their first lead of the game as Maher was good on his second FG of the game.
First play of the next drive, the Argos finally hit on a big play. Ray launched a downfield throw and WR Darvin Adams came down with the 45-yard reception. Ray could get nothing else going however, and the Argos came away with the field goal and the 7-6 lead.
The trading of field goals continued as Maher connected again for his third of the game. In the red zone the REDBLACKS were forced to go for the 3-pointer when the Boatmen defensive line came up with a big sack on second down.
That is how the first half would end with the REDBLACKS holding a small 9-7 lead.
The second half started just as slow as the first half ended with both teams unable to get anything going offensively.
Ottawa would get the first break as a tipped ball landed in the hands of a REDBLACKS DB for Ray’s first interception of 2014. With the ball already on Argos territory, the REDBLACKS tacked on another FG with Maher’s fourth of the game. 12-7 Ottawa.
Ray and co. finally broke through in the fourth quarter on a drive that say Ray his RB Steve Slaton and WR Spencer Watt for large pick ups to the red zone. Eventually, Ray locked in and tossed the first TD in TD Place history to WR Darvin Adams to take a slim 14-12 lead.
It was madness from then onward.
Ottawa responded with a drive setting up Maher again for another field goal. He was true again and the REDBLACKS were back out in front 15-14.
But we were not done yet.
With time ticking down, Ray led his offence down the field setting up a long 40 yard field goal for Waters. A penalty pushed the try back to 45-yards but no matter for Waters as he drove the ball through the uprights with another 10-yards to spare.
Argos 17, REDBLACKS 15. Don’t count out the REDBLACKS though.
Burris marched his team down the field in front of a sold out crowd setting up Maher once again. And once again Maher delivered putting the home town team up by one and bringing the crowd to their feet.
One more chance for the Argos with under 30 seconds left on the clock. A completion to Coombs was good but a drop on second down presented a 3rd and long for the Boatmen with under ten seconds left.
Instead of going for the long rouge, Milanovich went for it on 3rd down but the ball would be intercepted by the REDBLACKS, ending the game.
A hard fought battle by both teams, but in the end, a win for Ottawa in their home opener.