June 28,2015
Outlaws Defeat Thunder as Time Expires, 48-46
LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Outlaws (5-8) defeated the Portland Thunder (3-10) thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dennis Havrilla as time expired Sunday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In
his first start of the season, the second-year signal-caller completed
21-of-34 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions
to go along with a pair of rushing scores on the day. Veteran wideout Tysson Poots hauled in three of Havrilla’s four scoring strikes. On the Thunder side of the ball, fullback John Martinez set a new single-game franchise record with four rushing scores, while quarterback Kyle Rowley passed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on the day.
In
what was an evenly matched game from start to finish, Martinez got the
Thunder on the board first, scoring his first touchdown of the day from
one yard out with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter. Havrilla and the
Outlaws responded with a six-yard touchdown pass to Poots with just
under four minutes to play in the opening period to knot the score at
seven apiece.
Portland
regained the lead in the second quarter when Rowley connected with
receiver V’Keon lacey on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Following a missed
extra point, the Thunder led 13-7. Las Vegas took its first lead of the
game at the 3:21 mark in the second after Havrilla hooked up with Poots
for a second time and Ernesto Lacayo
booted in the PAT for a 14-13 Vegas lead. However, Portland took
control again just before heading into the locker room, as Martinez
carried the ball into the end zone from two yards out for a 20-14
halftime lead.
A Doug Williams
touchdown reception with 9:40 to play in the third quarter put Las
Vegas back on top briefly; however, Portland answered right back with a
33-yard pitch-and-catch from Rowley to Jared Perry.
Havrilla and the Outlaws responded four minutes later in the form of a
nine-yard touchdown pass to Poots, his third of the game. Portland
closed out the third quarter scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass from
Rowley to Lacey at the 2:23 mark. For the second time in the game, the
Thunder were unable to connect on a PAT try, as Kevin Goessling’s extra
point attempt was blocked.
The
final five scores of the game all came on the ground. Havrilla opened
the fourth quarter scoring with a one-yard rush, while Martinez
responded with a one-yard carry past the goal line of his own on the
ensuing drive. With 6:46 left in regulation, Outlaws wide receiver Jomo Wilson
got in the action, carrying in a four-yard run. Martinez tallied his
fourth rushing score of the game with 2:31 to play. It appeared the
Thunder had sealed a victory with less than a minute remaining following
an interception by former Outlaws defensive back Dwight McLean.
With 49 seconds to play, Martinez was stripped of the ball, resulting
in a turnover and setting up the Outlaws’ game-winning drive. From one
yard out, Havrilla took the ball into the end zone on a quarterback
sneak to put the Outlaws on top, 48-46, as time expired.
Recently acquired defensive back Demarcus Robinson led Las Vegas with eight tackles on the day, while defensive linemen Jabari Fletcher and Terrance Carter were each credited with sacks. Thunder linebacker Dexter Davis led Portland with two sacks, while Marquis Jackson and KC Obi combined for another. Thunder defensive backs De’Mon Glanton and Dwight McLean logged the game’s only interceptions. Neither Duane Brooks nor Gerald Young, two of the League’s most feared kick return specialists, found the end zone in the game.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
AFL Scoreboard for the games of Weeks 10-14 and the Schedule for Weeks 15-20 of the 2015 regular season from AFL.COM
| Week 10 | |||
| 05/29/15 | Orlando 63, Cleveland 42 | Cleveland, Ohio | 7:00 p.m. |
| 05/30/15 | Philadelphia 51, Las Vegas 43  |
Atlantic City, NJ | 6:00 p.m. |
| San Jose 61, Portland 42 | Portland, Ore. | 6:00 p.m. | |
| Tampa Bay 35, New Orleans 34 | Tampa, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Arizona 59, Spokane 47 |
Spokane, Wash. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| 05/31/15 | Jacksonville 41, Los Angeles 35 | Anaheim, Calif. | 6:00 p.m. |
 | |||
| Week 11 | |||
| 06/05/15 | San Jose 55, Spokane 26 | San Jose, Calif. | 10:30 p.m. |
| 06/06/15 | Philadelphia 62, New Orleans 41 | Philadelphia, Pa | 6:00 p.m. |
| Jacksonville 66, Orlando 51 |
Jacksonville, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Arizona 69, Tampa Bay 46 | Phoenix, Ariz. | 9:00 p.m. | |
| 06/07/15 | Cleveland 63, Las Vegas 44 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Los Angeles 52, Portland 40 | Anaheim, Calif. | 6:00 p.m. | |
| |||
| Week 12 | |||
| 06/12/15 | Tampa Bay 63, Jacksonville 56 |
Tampa, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Cleveland 51, New Orleans 34 | New Orleans, La. | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Arizona 69, Portland 42 | Portland, Ore. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| Las Vegas 62, Spokane 56 |
Spokane, Wash. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| 06/13/15 | Orlando 45, Philadelphia 42 | Orlando, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Los Angeles 48, San Jose 42 ( OT ) | San Jose, Calif. | 10:30 p.m. | |
| |||
| Week 13 | |||
| 06/19/15 | Tampa Bay 52, Cleveland 48 | Cleveland, Ohio | 7:00 p.m. |
| 06/20/15 | Arizona 55, Orlando 35 |
Phoenix, Ariz. | 8:00 p.m. |
| Philadelphia 56, Los Angeles 48 |
Anaheim, Calif. | 11:00 p.m. | |
| 06/21/15 | San Jose 63, Las Vegas 31 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Spokane 69, Portland 54 |
Portland, Ore. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| |||
| Week 14 | |||
| 06/26/15 | Philadelphia 64, Tampa Bay 42 | Philadelphia, Pa | 7:30 p.m. |
| San Jose 62, Spokane 27 | Spokane, Wash. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| 06/27/15 | Jacksonville 74, Cleveland 41 |
Jacksonville, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. |
| Orlando 56, New Orleans 43 | Orlando, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Arizona 49, Los Angeles 43 | Anaheim, Calif. | 10:00 p.m. | |
| 06/28/15 | Las Vegas 48, Portland 46 | Las Vegas, Nev. | 5:00 p.m. |
| |||
| Week 16 | |||
| 07/10/15 | New Orleans at San Jose |
San Jose, Calif. | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| 07/11/15 | Cleveland at Philadelphia |
Philadelphia, Pa | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| Orlando at Tampa Bay | Tampa, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. ET | |
| Las Vegas at Arizona | Phoenix, Ariz. | 9:00 p.m. ET | |
| Jacksonville at Portland | Portland, Ore. | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
| 07/12/15 | Spokane at Los Angeles | Anaheim, Calif. | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| |||
| Week 17 | |||
| 07/17/15 | Arizona at Spokane | Spokane, Wash. | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| 07/18/15 | Orlando at Cleveland | Cleveland, Ohio | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| Philadelphia at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. ET | |
| Tampa Bay at New Orleans | New Orleans, La. | 8:00 p.m. ET | |
| Las Vegas at Los Angeles |
Anaheim, Calif. | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
| Portland at San Jose | San Jose, Calif. | 10:30 p.m. ET | |
| |||
| Week 18 | |||
| 07/25/15 | Tampa Bay at Jacksonville |
Jacksonville, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Portland at Spokane | Spokane, Wash. | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
| New Orleans at Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nev. | 10:30 p.m. ET | |
| 07/26/15 | Los Angeles at Arizona |
Phoenix, Ariz. | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| |||
| Week 19 | |||
| 07/31/15 | Arizona at San Jose |
San Jose, Calif. | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| 08/01/15 | Jacksonville at Orlando | Orlando, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Spokane at Cleveland | Cleveland, Ohio | 7:00 p.m. ET | |
| Los Angeles at Tampa Bay | Tampa, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. ET | |
| Las Vegas at Portland | Portland, Ore. | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
| 08/02/15 | New Orleans at Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pa | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| |||
| Week 20 | |||
| 08/08/15 | New Orleans at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| Philadelphia at Cleveland | Cleveland, Ohio | 7:00 p.m. ET | |
| Tampa Bay at Orlando | Orlando, Fla. | 7:00 p.m. ET | |
| Portland at Arizona |
Phoenix, Ariz. | 9:00 p.m. ET | |
| San Jose at Los Angeles | Anaheim, Calif. | 10:00 p.m. ET | |
| Spokane at Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nev. | 10:30 p.m. ET | |
| |||
Current AFL Standings as of the games of Week 14 and June 28,2015 from AFL.COM
Standings
(Updated June 28)
(Updated June 28)
(Updated June 28)
(Updated June 28)
y
y
y
x = Clinched playoff berth, y = Clinched divis. title, z = Clinched home field
| NATIONAL CONFERENCE - WEST DIVISION | ||||||||
| Team | Overall | Points | Pct. | Division | Pct. | Home | Away | Streak |
| Arizona Rattlers | 11-2-0 | 737-581 | 0.846 | 3-1-0 | 0.750 | 5-1 | 6-1 | Won 7 |
| Las Vegas Outlaws | 5-8-0 | 603-699 | 0.385 | 4-1-0 | 0.800 | 3-4 | 2-4 | Won 1 |
| LA KISS | 2-11-0 | 526-694 | 0.154 | 0-4-0 | 0.000 | 1-5 | 1-6 | Lost 2 |
| NATIONAL CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION | ||||||||
| Team | Overall | Points | Pct. | Division | Pct. | Home | Away | Streak |
| San Jose Sabercats | 13-1-0 | 834-511 | 0.929 | 5-0-0 | 1.000 | 5-1 | 8-0 | Won 2 |
| Spokane Shock | 4-9-0 | 632-759 | 0.308 | 1-4-0 | 0.200 | 2-5 | 2-4 | Lost 1 |
| Portland Thunder | 3-10-0 | 594-730 | 0.231 | 1-4-0 | 0.200 | 3-4 | 0-6 | Lost 6 |
| AMERICAN CONFERENCE - SOUTH DIVISION | ||||||||
| Team | Overall | Points | Pct. | Division | Pct. | Home | Away | Streak |
| Orlando Predators | 8-6-0 | 766-741 | 0.571 | 2-1-0 | 0.667 | 5-2 | 3-4 | Won 1 |
| Jacksonville Sharks | 7-6-0 | 700-649 | 0.538 | 1-3-0 | 0.250 | 4-2 | 3-4 | Won 1 |
| Tampa Bay Storm | 6-7-0 | 611-652 | 0.462 | 2-1-0 | 0.667 | 4-3 | 2-4 | Lost 1 |
| AMERICAN CONFERENCE - EAST DIVISION | ||||||||
| Team | Overall | Points | Pct. | Division | Pct. | Home | Away | Streak |
| Philadelphia Soul | 12-2-0 | 812-632 | 0.857 | 3-0-0 | 1.000 | 7-0 | 5-2 | Won 2 |
| Cleveland Gladiators | 7-7-0 | 747-732 | 0.500 | 3-1-0 | 0.750 | 2-4 | 5-3 | Lost 2 |
| New Orleans VooDoo | 2-11-0 | 530-712 | 0.154 | 0-5-0 | 0.000 | 2-6 | 0-5 | Lost 7 |
Newcomers, Harris lead Argos over Esks in Fort McMurray
Recap: Toronto 26, Edmonton 11
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Newcomers, Harris lead Argos over Esks in Fort McMurray
1
Posted: June 27,2015 08:15 PM
Updated: June 28,2015 10:02 AM
CFL.ca Staff
#CFLKickoff
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. -- Trevor Harris was on point while the newcomers came up big, powering the Toronto Argonauts to a 26-11 season-opening win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday evening in Fort McMurray.
The Eskimos lost not only the game but potentially their starting quarterback, meanwhile, as Mike Reilly left the game late in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent knee injury. The extend of the injury is unknown.
Harris, the heir apparent to Ray making just his second career start, threw for 347 yards on 24-of-27 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions to stymie the CFL’s top-ranked pass defence in 2014. Recent addition Brandon Whitaker caught one of those touchdown passes as did rookie receivers Vidal Hazelton and Tori Gurley, while Dave Stala took on kicking and punting duties after Swayze Waters left the game due to injury.
Reilly threw for 170 yards on 16-of-28 passing with one touchdown in the loss before leaving the game, while Kenny Stafford caught his first touchdown in Green and Gold -- but in the end the Edmonton offence just couldn’t do enough against an aggressive, new-look Argo defence.
After a first-half stalemate, a fast-moving Eskimos’ drive ended abruptly on a Reilly fumble recovered by Brandon Isaac, back in an Argo uniform after a two-year absence. The Argos opened things up after that with the deep ball, and making the big play was a big rookie receiver in Kevin Elliott.
Elliott stretched all the way out to haul in a highlight-reel grab from Harris for a 53-yard gain, and on the next play Harris connected with rookie receiver Hazelton for a 1-yard touchdown pass, giving the Argos a 16-10 third-quarter lead.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Harris came up big again, threading the needle to Chad Owens in the seam for a 34-yard gain down to the Edmonton 18 on Owens’ fifth catch of the game. Harris then went straight to another rookie receiver in Gurley on the corner route, who hauled in the pass over Patrick Watkins for a 17-yard touchdown reception.
The Argos converted on the two-point try and Harris’ third touchdown pass of the game made it 25-11 early in the fourth quarter.
Looking to battle back quickly, the Eskimos got their offence moving again after a 26-yard reception by Stafford, his fourth catch of the game. But with nine minutes remaining, a third-down gamble came up short as Jordan Lynch was stopped a yard shy of the first down marker.
Edmonton had one last chance, down two possessions and getting the ball back with just over six minutes remaining. A fumbled punt and Argo recovery led to receiver-turned-kicker Stala's first career field goal try, but the veteran pulled the kick wide left. A single point on the miss made it 26-11 Argos.
Ricky who? Trevor Harris had himself a day in his second career start, throwing for 347 yards on 24-of-27 passing with three touchdowns.
» View Game Stats
The Eskimos looked again to rally with just under four minutes remaining, starting with a completion to Adarius Bowman for a first down out of the gate. With the gain on the play also came a key loss, however, as Reilly was injured on the play after the tackle by Cleyon Laing. Laing was hit with a roughing the passer penalty, moving Edmonton up the field with Matt Nichols entering the game.
Nichols failed to continue the drive from there, while the Argo defence held the Green and Gold offence virtually scoreless in the entire second half (one single was all the Eskimos could muster) to hold on for the 26-11 victory.
The northern-most regular season game in CFL history was an Argos home game and it started out slowly. After both teams moved the ball out of the gate but couldn't finish drives with touchdowns, a muffed punt return by Owens set up the game's first major, a 26-yard touchdown grab by Stafford, the second of his career and his first as an Eskimo.
Down 7-3, the Argos responded quickly on the first quarter's final play. Harris found Whitaker on a wheel route down the sideline and the former Alouettes running back sprinted in open field for a 57-yard touchdown, making it 10-7 Toronto.
While the Eskimos tied it heading into the half, the Argo newcomers
made all the difference after that as Gurley and Hazelton scored their
first career touchdowns to give Toronto a league it would not
relinquish.
Meanwhile, Harris took full advantage of only his second career start. Harris completed 15 of his first 16 passes for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all against the CFL’s leading secondary in 2014 -- one that allowed an average of 206.7 passing yards per game in and 54.7 per cent completion percentage, both tops in the league.
In his first game as an Argo after being released by Montreal following pre-season, Whitaker rushed for 117 yards on 14 carries and chipped in 57 yards and a touchdown on one reception, totalling 174 yards in his Double Blue debut. Owens was the game's leading receiver, meanwhile, with 99 yards on seven catches.
Bowman, last year the CFL's leading receiver, finished with six catches for 61 yards while Chad Simpson had 33 yards on the ground.
The Argos hit the road next Sunday to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders looking to build on an excellent start, while the Eskimos get a week off to reflect before playing their home opener vs. the Ottawa REDBLACKS on July 9.
#CFLKickoff
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. -- Trevor Harris was on point while the newcomers came up big, powering the Toronto Argonauts to a 26-11 season-opening win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday evening in Fort McMurray.
The Eskimos lost not only the game but potentially their starting quarterback, meanwhile, as Mike Reilly left the game late in the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent knee injury. The extend of the injury is unknown.
Harris, the heir apparent to Ray making just his second career start, threw for 347 yards on 24-of-27 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions to stymie the CFL’s top-ranked pass defence in 2014. Recent addition Brandon Whitaker caught one of those touchdown passes as did rookie receivers Vidal Hazelton and Tori Gurley, while Dave Stala took on kicking and punting duties after Swayze Waters left the game due to injury.
Reilly threw for 170 yards on 16-of-28 passing with one touchdown in the loss before leaving the game, while Kenny Stafford caught his first touchdown in Green and Gold -- but in the end the Edmonton offence just couldn’t do enough against an aggressive, new-look Argo defence.
After a first-half stalemate, a fast-moving Eskimos’ drive ended abruptly on a Reilly fumble recovered by Brandon Isaac, back in an Argo uniform after a two-year absence. The Argos opened things up after that with the deep ball, and making the big play was a big rookie receiver in Kevin Elliott.
Elliott stretched all the way out to haul in a highlight-reel grab from Harris for a 53-yard gain, and on the next play Harris connected with rookie receiver Hazelton for a 1-yard touchdown pass, giving the Argos a 16-10 third-quarter lead.
On the first play of the fourth quarter Harris came up big again, threading the needle to Chad Owens in the seam for a 34-yard gain down to the Edmonton 18 on Owens’ fifth catch of the game. Harris then went straight to another rookie receiver in Gurley on the corner route, who hauled in the pass over Patrick Watkins for a 17-yard touchdown reception.
The Argos converted on the two-point try and Harris’ third touchdown pass of the game made it 25-11 early in the fourth quarter.
Looking to battle back quickly, the Eskimos got their offence moving again after a 26-yard reception by Stafford, his fourth catch of the game. But with nine minutes remaining, a third-down gamble came up short as Jordan Lynch was stopped a yard shy of the first down marker.
Edmonton had one last chance, down two possessions and getting the ball back with just over six minutes remaining. A fumbled punt and Argo recovery led to receiver-turned-kicker Stala's first career field goal try, but the veteran pulled the kick wide left. A single point on the miss made it 26-11 Argos.
Ricky who? Trevor Harris had himself a day in his second career start, throwing for 347 yards on 24-of-27 passing with three touchdowns.
» View Game Stats
The Eskimos looked again to rally with just under four minutes remaining, starting with a completion to Adarius Bowman for a first down out of the gate. With the gain on the play also came a key loss, however, as Reilly was injured on the play after the tackle by Cleyon Laing. Laing was hit with a roughing the passer penalty, moving Edmonton up the field with Matt Nichols entering the game.
Nichols failed to continue the drive from there, while the Argo defence held the Green and Gold offence virtually scoreless in the entire second half (one single was all the Eskimos could muster) to hold on for the 26-11 victory.
The northern-most regular season game in CFL history was an Argos home game and it started out slowly. After both teams moved the ball out of the gate but couldn't finish drives with touchdowns, a muffed punt return by Owens set up the game's first major, a 26-yard touchdown grab by Stafford, the second of his career and his first as an Eskimo.
Down 7-3, the Argos responded quickly on the first quarter's final play. Harris found Whitaker on a wheel route down the sideline and the former Alouettes running back sprinted in open field for a 57-yard touchdown, making it 10-7 Toronto.
Video
Whitaker Hits Pay-Dirt for Argos
Meanwhile, Harris took full advantage of only his second career start. Harris completed 15 of his first 16 passes for 245 yards and a pair of touchdowns, all against the CFL’s leading secondary in 2014 -- one that allowed an average of 206.7 passing yards per game in and 54.7 per cent completion percentage, both tops in the league.
In his first game as an Argo after being released by Montreal following pre-season, Whitaker rushed for 117 yards on 14 carries and chipped in 57 yards and a touchdown on one reception, totalling 174 yards in his Double Blue debut. Owens was the game's leading receiver, meanwhile, with 99 yards on seven catches.
Bowman, last year the CFL's leading receiver, finished with six catches for 61 yards while Chad Simpson had 33 yards on the ground.
The Argos hit the road next Sunday to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders looking to build on an excellent start, while the Eskimos get a week off to reflect before playing their home opener vs. the Ottawa REDBLACKS on July 9.
Johnson's late TD lifts REDBLACKS over Als in opener
Recap: Ottawa 20, Montreal 16
Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Johnson's late TD lifts REDBLACKS over Als in opener
Posted: June 25,2015 10:30 PM
Updated: June 26,2015 12:30 AM
CFL.ca Staff
MONTREAL – The story was Canadian QB Brandon Bridge but the win went to the Ottawa REDBLACKS who opened the 2015 CFL season with a 20-16 road victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium Thursday night.
Backup tailback Jeremiah Johnson punched in a 6-yard score after Jovon Johnson intercepted Bridge early in the fourth quarter to put the REDBLACKS in the lead, one which they would not relinquish.
First it was Jonathan Crompton who got hurt. Then Dan LeFevour went down on his first snap. Enter Bridge.
Bridge replaced LeFevour after the latter was rocked by a huge hit on his first snap under centre substituting for Crompton, who was sitting as a precaution after bruising his shoulder. He is the first Canadian quarterback to see action in a game since Danny Brannagan did for the Toronto Argonauts in 2010.
The game was a tale of two halves for Henry Burris, who threw three interceptions in the opening half but settled down in the second to guide his team to the win.
Burris finished 23 of 36 for 263 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
On the REDBLACKS' first drive of the second half, punter Anthony Alix ran for 11 yards and the first down to continue the drive for Ottawa. In a milestone moment for Burris, he completed his 4000th career pass on a 19-yard catch by Greg Ellingson.
On a 3rd-and-1, Ottawa opted to go for what looked like a field goal but faked the play and Thomas DeMarco snuck through for the first down. Burris then connected with Ernest Jackson for the touchdown.
Down two points after the score, the REDBLACKS opted to go for two, marking the first two-point convert attempt in 2015 from three-yard-line. Burris got around the corner and reached for the end zone, eventually getting the call his way after an official review. That tied the game at 13-13.
Running back Tyrell Sutton, now the starter for the Alouettes after the release of Brandon Whitaker, scored the first touchdown of the 2015 season to give the Als an opening 6-0 lead.
Delbert Alvarado’s first career field goal attempt was blocked by John Bowman, leaving the REDBLACKS empty-handed.
The REDBLACKS got good field position after pinning Montreal deep and getting the ball back again near midfield, but the offence stalled with no points on the board. Both offences moved the ball but neither could take full advantage as the first quarter ended with Montreal ahead 6-0.
Burris would continue to move the REDBLACKS down the field to start the second quarter but had a pass tipped by his lineman that was then intercepted by Alan-Michael Cash. Crompton didn’t fare much better on the next drive as he was picked off by Moton Hopkins.
Alvarado’s second field goal attempt, this one from 40 yards out, was successful and cut the Als lead in half, 6-3.
After being trapped deep in its own territory, Montreal opted to give up the safety instead of testing out the return skills of Chris Williams to cut Montreal’s lead to 6-5.
Burris looked to continue the building momentum after strong work from his defence but quickly turned the ball over on another interception, this time to Jonathan Hefney. Nik Lewis would then catch his first ball as an Alouette midway through the second quarter.
Crompton connected with Jean-Cristophe Beaulieu on a four yard pass for a touchdown. Bede converted the point after attempt as the Als extended their 13-5 lead.
Late in the second quarter, Williams would move the REDBLACKS up 40 yards after a huge catch put Ottawa into Alouettes territory. However, the next play Burris threw his third interception of the first half as Billy Parker would quickly end Ottawa’s offensive threat.
Montreal could not turn its extra possession into any damage and finished the first half with a 13-5 lead.
When play resumed in the third quarter we learned that Crompton would not return. The same for LeFevour shortly thereafter.
Momentum swung the REDBLACKS way after that with Johnson punching in the winner.
The REDBLACKS return home on a high as they prepare to host the BC Lions at TD Place while the Als regroup to host the defending Grey Cup Champion Clagary Stampeders with a quarterback situation that is far from solved,
MONTREAL – The story was Canadian QB Brandon Bridge but the win went to the Ottawa REDBLACKS who opened the 2015 CFL season with a 20-16 road victory over the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Stadium Thursday night.
Backup tailback Jeremiah Johnson punched in a 6-yard score after Jovon Johnson intercepted Bridge early in the fourth quarter to put the REDBLACKS in the lead, one which they would not relinquish.
First it was Jonathan Crompton who got hurt. Then Dan LeFevour went down on his first snap. Enter Bridge.
Bridge replaced LeFevour after the latter was rocked by a huge hit on his first snap under centre substituting for Crompton, who was sitting as a precaution after bruising his shoulder. He is the first Canadian quarterback to see action in a game since Danny Brannagan did for the Toronto Argonauts in 2010.
The game was a tale of two halves for Henry Burris, who threw three interceptions in the opening half but settled down in the second to guide his team to the win.
Burris finished 23 of 36 for 263 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
On the REDBLACKS' first drive of the second half, punter Anthony Alix ran for 11 yards and the first down to continue the drive for Ottawa. In a milestone moment for Burris, he completed his 4000th career pass on a 19-yard catch by Greg Ellingson.
On a 3rd-and-1, Ottawa opted to go for what looked like a field goal but faked the play and Thomas DeMarco snuck through for the first down. Burris then connected with Ernest Jackson for the touchdown.
Down two points after the score, the REDBLACKS opted to go for two, marking the first two-point convert attempt in 2015 from three-yard-line. Burris got around the corner and reached for the end zone, eventually getting the call his way after an official review. That tied the game at 13-13.
Running back Tyrell Sutton, now the starter for the Alouettes after the release of Brandon Whitaker, scored the first touchdown of the 2015 season to give the Als an opening 6-0 lead.
Delbert Alvarado’s first career field goal attempt was blocked by John Bowman, leaving the REDBLACKS empty-handed.
The REDBLACKS got good field position after pinning Montreal deep and getting the ball back again near midfield, but the offence stalled with no points on the board. Both offences moved the ball but neither could take full advantage as the first quarter ended with Montreal ahead 6-0.
Burris would continue to move the REDBLACKS down the field to start the second quarter but had a pass tipped by his lineman that was then intercepted by Alan-Michael Cash. Crompton didn’t fare much better on the next drive as he was picked off by Moton Hopkins.
| Bridge enters with Crompton, LeFevour sidelined |
|---|
 Jonathan Crompton and Dan Lefevour both left Thursday's opener with injuries. Their immediate status is unknown but Brandon Bridge entered in the third quarter. In doing so, Bridge became first Canadian quarterback to see action in a game since Danny Brannagan did for the Toronto Argonauts in 2010...Read More | Watch More |
Alvarado’s second field goal attempt, this one from 40 yards out, was successful and cut the Als lead in half, 6-3.
After being trapped deep in its own territory, Montreal opted to give up the safety instead of testing out the return skills of Chris Williams to cut Montreal’s lead to 6-5.
Burris looked to continue the building momentum after strong work from his defence but quickly turned the ball over on another interception, this time to Jonathan Hefney. Nik Lewis would then catch his first ball as an Alouette midway through the second quarter.
Crompton connected with Jean-Cristophe Beaulieu on a four yard pass for a touchdown. Bede converted the point after attempt as the Als extended their 13-5 lead.
Late in the second quarter, Williams would move the REDBLACKS up 40 yards after a huge catch put Ottawa into Alouettes territory. However, the next play Burris threw his third interception of the first half as Billy Parker would quickly end Ottawa’s offensive threat.
Montreal could not turn its extra possession into any damage and finished the first half with a 13-5 lead.
When play resumed in the third quarter we learned that Crompton would not return. The same for LeFevour shortly thereafter.
Momentum swung the REDBLACKS way after that with Johnson punching in the winner.
The REDBLACKS return home on a high as they prepare to host the BC Lions at TD Place while the Als regroup to host the defending Grey Cup Champion Clagary Stampeders with a quarterback situation that is far from solved,
CFL Scoreboard for all preseason games and the games of Week 1 and June 27,2015 and the Schedule for Weeks 2-6 of the 2015 regular season from CFL.CA
| Pre-Season A | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mon Jun 08 |  Ottawa |
10 |  Hamilton |
37 | 7:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | Gamecast | ||||||||||
| Pre-Season B | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Tue Jun 09 |  Winnipeg |
34 |  Toronto |
27 | 7:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | Gamecast | ||||||||||
| Fri Jun 12 |  BC |
6 |  Calgary |
20 | 9:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | Gamecast | ||||||||||
| Sat Jun 13 |  Montreal |
26 | Ottawa |
9 | 7:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | |||||||||||
| Sat Jun 13 |  Saskatchewan |
24 |  Edmonton |
31 | 10:00 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | |||||||||||
| Pre-Season C | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jun 18 | Toronto |
30 | Montreal |
10 | 7:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 16,325 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Fri Jun 19 | Hamilton |
26 | Winnipeg |
15 | 8:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 24,344 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Fri Jun 19 | Calgary |
37 | Saskatchewan |
29 | 9:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | Gamecast | ||||||||||
| Fri Jun 19 | Edmonton |
18 | BC |
13 | 10:00 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | |||||||||||
| Week 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jun 25 | Ottawa |
20 | Montreal |
16 | 7:30 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 21,524 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Fri Jun 26 | Hamilton |
23 | Calgary |
24 | 9:00 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 28,487 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Sat Jun 27 | Edmonton |
11 | Toronto |
26 | 5:00 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 4,900 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Sat Jun 27 | Winnipeg |
30 | Saskatchewan |
26 | 8:00 pm |
|
View Stats | Game Recap | 32,228 | Gamecast | |||||||||
| Week 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jul 02 | Hamilton |
0 | Winnipeg |
0 | 8:30 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 03 | Calgary |
0 | Montreal |
0 | 7:30 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sat Jul 04 | BC |
0 | Ottawa |
0 | 6:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sun Jul 05 | Toronto |
0 | Saskatchewan |
0 | 3:30 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Week 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jul 09 | Ottawa |
0 | Edmonton |
0 | 9:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 10 | Montreal |
0 | Winnipeg |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 10 | Saskatchewan |
0 | BC |
0 | 10:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Mon Jul 13 | Toronto |
0 | Calgary |
0 | 9:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Week 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jul 16 | Hamilton |
0 | Montreal |
0 | 7:30 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 17 | Edmonton |
0 | Ottawa |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 17 | BC |
0 | Saskatchewan |
0 | 10:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sat Jul 18 | Winnipeg |
0 | Calgary |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Week 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 24 | Calgary |
0 | Ottawa |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 24 | Toronto |
0 | BC |
0 | 10:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sat Jul 25 | Winnipeg |
0 | Edmonton |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sun Jul 26 | Hamilton |
0 | Saskatchewan |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Week 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Jul 30 | BC |
0 | Winnipeg |
0 | 8:30 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Fri Jul 31 | Saskatchewan |
0 | Edmonton |
0 | 9:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Sat Aug 01 | Montreal |
0 | Calgary |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
|||||||||||||
| Mon Aug 03 | Toronto |
0 | Hamilton |
0 | 7:00 pm |
|
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