A strong second half helped the Ottawa Redblacks record a 34-27 victory over the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday night, extending their unbeaten streak at TD Place.
The Redblacks (7-2-1) are now 5-0-1 at home, while the Lions (5-6-0) dropped their fifth straight game and second in a row with quarterback Nathan Rourke running the offence.
Ottawa’s Dru Brown was 28-for-37 for 390 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Rourke, making his second start since returning from the NFL, was 22-for-31 for 234 yards and one interception.
The victory will undoubtedly be met with mixed emotions.
With 8:33 remaining, both teams were shaken when Jaelon Acklin had to be taken off the field by ambulance. Acklin, who had jumped to catch a pass, collided with T.J. Lee and fell awkwardly, remaining motionless on the field.
The team later reported that Acklin was moving his extremities and was being examined in hospital.
Some 51-yard Nathan Rourke magic for your timeline ✨#BCLions pic.twitter.com/a0QT2wQe8T
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) August 25, 2024
On the ensuing play, the Redblacks were able to extend their lead after Dustin Crum muscled his way across the one-yard line to take a 34-24 lead.
Ottawa, which trailed 17-12 at halftime, got things going early in the third quarter.
On the first drive of the second half, Brown found rookie Nick Mardner at the 51-yard line, and he sprinted all the way for a touchdown. Ottawa was successful on a two-point convert, taking a 20-17 lead.
Ottawa extended its lead midway through the third quarter when Brown found Mardner, again, connecting for a 22-yard pass to take a 27-17 lead.
The Lions made it down to Ottawa’s one-yard line on an 11-play drive that culminated with David Mackie pushing his way in for his second TD to trail 27-24.
The Lions started the game with a 69-yard drive, capped by Mackie’s one-yard TD, giving B.C. a 7-0 lead.
READ MORE: B.C. Lions set to play in Victoria for the first time in CFL history
Ottawa responded with a 24-yard field goal but the Lions extended their lead with a Sean Whyte 16-yard field goal, making it 10-3.
After a blocked field goal led to a single point for the Lions, Ottawa closed the gap with Acklin’s 22-yard TD, making it 11-9 as Ottawa failed to connect on the extra two-point play. The drive started after Rourke was picked off by Frankie Griffin.
Rourke, who had a 51-yard run, set up a 21-yard field goal for B.C., and Whyte then added a 35-yard field goal making it 17-9.
With 17 seconds remaining in the half, Lewis Ward hit a 54-yard field goal to make it 17-12.
UP NEXT
Lions: Host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Redblacks: Visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday, Aug. 31, in Victoria.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
