CFL Week 2 Recap
Ottawa REBBLACKS 23 Winnipeg Blue Bombers 19
Dru Brown was once the backup for Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros, but it was the student that outfoxed the teacher when the REDBLACKS won their first game of the season with a 23-19 win over the four-time defending Western Division Champions. Brown was not called upon considerably, throwing for 233 yards while his former teammate threw for 253 yards and two interceptions. The REBLACKS were highlighted by their tailback Ryquell Armstead 95 rushing yards and receiver Justin Hardy’s 7 catches 111 yards and a major. The game went to a weather delay with 2:05 left. After a one-hour delay, Ottawa’s defense hung tough and came away with the win after giving up an intentional safety but making the stand defensively in a gutsy win. With the win, Ottawa wins its first game of the season, Winnipeg, who has played in the last four Grey Cups is 0-2.
Montreal Alouettes 23 Edmonton Elks 20
Walter Fletcher shined for Montreal with two touchdowns on the ground and eclipsed over 140 yards of total offense for the Alouettes in their road win over Edmonton. Montreal’s defense allowed 300 yards passing from McLeod Bethel-Thompson but intercepted the former Argo quarterback twice. Als quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 269 yards and two touchdown passes. Montreal sealed the victory when Fletcher scored his second touchdown on a 39-yard run, to put Montreal up 23-13. Goal line quarterback specialist Dakota Prukop scored his second touchdown for Edmonton with 33 seconds left to trim the deficit to three. Montreal would cover the ensuing onside kick to end the game. The defending Grey Cup champions begin the season 2-0.
BC Lions 26 Calgary Stampeders 17
A sold-out crowd witnessed the BC Lions in their home opener, beat Calgary where former EWU QB Vernon Adams put on a show with three all purpose touchdowns to put the Lions in the win column for the first time this season. Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier threw two touchdown passes on the day for Calgary. Marken Michel opened the scoring for Calgary by taking a slant into the end zone from ten yards out. Justin McInnis answered for BC with a touchdown catch from Adams, the convert was blocked, and Calgary led 7-6. After a BC rouge and Calgary field goal, BC was in the end zone again when Adams found Alexander Hollins for a touchdown to give the Lions the lead at halftime 14-10. The Stamps began the second half with a drive that saw Reggie Begelton make an incredible over the shoulder catch in the end zone to put Calgary up 17-14. BC added a field goal to tie the game. With eleven minutes left in regulation, the Lions thanks to a 59-yard play by Ayden Eberhardt set up the Lions with a chance to seize the lead, and they would do just that when Vernon Adams took matters into his own hands and ran in the go-ahead score. The Lions defense would capitalize with a fumble recovery late and a field goal by the Leos would ice the game. BC will face Winnipeg next week in a rematch of the West Final last season.
Saskatchewan Roughriders 33 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30
In what was the best game of the weekend, just like the 1989 Grey Cup encounter, a wild game resulted in a last second field goal that proved to be the difference where the Riders beat Hamilton in a thriller. Both quarterbacks were playing their finest on Sunday. Rider quarterback Trevor Harris accounted for 390 yards through the air and two touchdowns to Kian Shaffer-Baker who acquired 109 yards off seven catches. Ti-Cat QB Bo Levi Mitchell also had a great day throwing the football with 380 yards and three touchdowns. The first half saw Bo Levi Mitchell throw two touchdown passes and Hamilton led 20-10 into halftime. Saskatchewan opened the second half with a touchdown to trim the Ti-Cats lead to three. Hamilton responded with an impressive six play drive that saw a defensive fumble recovery overturned, followed by a 58-yard flea flicker that was corralled by Kiondre Smith. The drive was completed when Bo Levi Mitchell found Shemar Bridgers to give Hamilton a double-digit lead again at 27-17. The two teams would trade field goals where Hamilton led 30-20 late. Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther kicked a 46-yard field goal for Saskatchewan to make it a one possession game. The Riders got the ball back and Trevor Harris found Kian Shaffer-Baker with 43 seconds to go to tie the game on an 11-yard touchdown catch. Hamilton got the ball back, Bo Levi Mitchell suffered his only turnover of the night, a pass intended for Tim White was bobbled into the awaiting arms of CJ Avery. That set up Saskatchewan’s Brett Lauther to win the game with 43-yard field goal as time expired to give the Riders a 33-30 win. Saskatchewan for the second week in a row won a wild game, they will face Hamilton again in a rematch in Regina.
Next Week in the CFL:
June 20: Ottawa REDBLACKS @ Montreal Alouettes 4:30p
June 21: BC Lions @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 5:30p
June 22: Edmonton Elks @ Toronto Argonauts 4:00p
June 23: Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
