CFL.ca Staff
The REDBLACKS lost a back-and-forth battle 38-35 to the Toronto Argos at TD Place on Tuesday night.
Twelve days separated the last time these two teams played. Ottawa dismantled the Alouettes 39-17 and the Argonauts enjoyed a bye before facing one another in a game that was slated to be a Toronto home game, but moved to TD Place due to scheduling conflicts brought on by the Toronto Blue Jays post-season push at Rogers Centre.
Burris was coming off a career performance in his 15th CFL season while lighting up Montreal’s secondary. He passed for 504 yards and set a new league record for most single-game completions with 46.
Right from the start, he picked up where he left off. On his club’s first possession, Burris completed a quick pass to WR Chris Williams before connecting with WR Ernest Jackson. Jackson’s 37-yard catch-and-run helped set up a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Jeremiah Johnson to give Ottawa a 7-0 lead just five plays into the game.
Harris and the Argos answered almost immediately however, as the Boatmen’s pivot found receiver Kevin Elliott on their first play from scrimmage for a 57-yard gain before the two completed the drive with a touchdown to tie things up early.
After two offences that started on fire, both defences stepped up to force turnovers with the REDBLACKS claiming two of the three picks thrown by the teams at the end of the first quarter. Both interceptions came deep in Argos territory and netted Ottawa two field goals as the first quarter wrapped up with the Boatmen on top by a point.
The defences continued to stand their ground until the second quarter got under five minutes. QB Harris and RB Brandon Whitaker attacked the REDBLACKS on the ground and in the air as a part of a 9-play drive, but the Argos settled for a short field goal to increase their lead to 17-13.
Ottawa responded with a 45-yarder off the foot of Chris Milo with zeros on the clock to bring the deficit back to one.
When the REDBLACKS returned to the field, they had to do so without the league’s touchdown leader in Jeremiah Johnson. The sophomore tailback left the game just before half favouring his left leg after an awkward tackle. He was replaced by Kansas State product William Powell who was playing in just his third CFL game.
Harris came out on the first drive of the second half, going 5-for-5 as a part of a 6-play, 76-yard touchdown drive. Along the way, Harris connected with REC Elliot for 19 and REC Gurley for 43 yards, before finding REC Hazelton for a touchdown and a 24-16 lead.
The REDBLACKS forced a two-and-out off the strength of a Zack Evans sack and got the ball back in good field position. They were able to score on another Milo field goal.
A slant toss from Harris was caught by Hazelton, but then fumbled and immediately recovered by REDBLACKS DB Abdul Kanneh who recorded his second turnover of the contest.
Burris promptly fired a deep ball to Greg Ellingson who came down with a 32-yard reception in the endzone to give Ottawa their first lead since the opening possession, 26-24 as the third quarter came to a close.
Looking to answer, Toronto once again relied on their veteran tailback Whitaker, who reeled in a four yard pass and fell into the endzone to re-take the lead 31-26.
The REDBLACKS got the ball back and drove 66-yards down the field, culminating with Burris tossing a three-yard pass to Ernest Jackson to take the lead 35-31.
With just over two minutes remaining, the Argos capped off a game-winning drive with the 10-yard toss to Chad Owens.
Burris and the REDBLACKS offense retook the field and attempted to tie the game. On the first play though, Ottawa’s all-star QB was injured by an aggressive tackle and had to leave the game.
After the game, he spoke with reporters and assured them the injury was not severe. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be back next week,” explained Henry.
After playing three games in less than two weeks, Ottawa will take a much needed break before their next contest, an October 16th matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place.
