Johnson's hat trick runs REDBLACKS over Riders
Posted: August 30,2015 07:15PM
Updated: August 30,2015 09:24PM
CFL.ca Staff#CFLGameDay
OTTAWA -- If there was any uncertainty surrounding the Ottawa
REDBLACKS’ starting running back, Jeremiah Johnson erased it on Sunday
afternoon.
The second-year back scored three rushing touchdowns to lead the
REDBLACKS to a 35-10 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, showing
exactly why the team put faith in him
after recently releasing running back Chevon Walker.
Henry Burris was efficient and threw one touchdown pass plus scored
another on the ground, while Johnson rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries.
Justin Capiciotti had three sacks to lead a 10-sack effort for the
REDBLACKS, who jumped out to a 14-0 lead then scored three touchdowns in
a four-minute span between the third and fourth quarters.
Burris completed nine of his first 11 passing attempts, finishing his
day 19-of-33 for 259 yards. Brett Smith went 6-for-10 for the Riders
for 68 yards with a touchdown, but was pulled for Tino Sunseri halfway
through the second quarter after throwing an interception.
The loss marked the Riders’ ninth straight to
open the season, their third worst start in franchise history. The
victory was a pivotal one for Ottawa, meanwhile, ending a mini two-game
losing streak and pulling the REDBLACKS within a game of first place in
the East behind both Toronto and Hamilton.
After shaking things up with the release of Brandon McDonald and
veteran running back Walker, the REDBLACKS looked energized from the
very first drive on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon at Ottawa’s TD
Place.
Johnson and Burris teamed up for a first down with a pair of rushes
out of the gate, then off play action the veteran pivot rolled out and
hooked up with first-year REDBLACK Brad Sinopoli for a 34-yard catch and
run into Rider territory.
On the next second down play, Burris quickly connected with the burner Price on a quick hitch and the veteran
shiftily evaded a tackle and hit the corner to score a 37-yard touchdown, capping off a five-play, 81-yard scoring drive to give the REDBLACKS a 7-0 lead.
The major marked Price's first as a member of the REDBLACKS since
arriving from Calgary in an off-season trade for linebacker Jasper
Simmons.
Fans could barely get back in their seats before the REDBLACKS were
on the board again. A quick smothering and sack of Smith put the ball
right back in the hands of Burris, who had started 3-for-4 in the game
after last week completing 32 of 36 passes in a loss to the Argos.
Burris again made quick work of a Rider defence that looked shaky
early on. Continuing to hit the Green and White with high-percentage
completions, this time it was Ernest Jackson getting the ball in space
and making guys miss for a 25-yard gain to the Rider 53. The REDBLACK
pivot hit on three of his next four passes to Jackson, Price and Scott
MacDonnell, then Johnson finished off the drive by scoring on a draw
play from seven yards out.
The REDBLACKS couldn’t have made a bolder statement just minutes into
the game, owning a 14-0 lead on the strength of 151 passing yards
through the air.
After being out-gained 170-29 in first-quarter offensive yardage, the
Riders made the second quarter theirs to strike back. Ottawa’s
fast-release offence hit a snag as the Rider ‘D’ tightened up the
tackling, while the special teams unit got to rookie punter Ronnie
Pfeffer, playing his first game since joining the REDBLACKS, with a
blocked punt.
Scott McHenry came up with the block and Dan West recovered it,
setting the Riders up deep in REDBLACKS territory. A time count
violation made second down more difficult than it needed to be, but it
wasn’t enough to faze the young gunslinger.
Smith, just 23 and in his third career start, threw the corner route
with perfection to rookie receiver Naaman Roosevelt for the 10-yard
touchdown. The Riders added the two-point conversion so after two punt
singles and the sudden major, the Riders trailed only 14-10 in the
second quarter.
The catch was Roosevelt’s third of the game and his first career touchdown in the 27-year-old’s first career CFL start.
The Riders continued to turn the momentum in their favour, this time
on a play by their defence. Greg Ellingson caught a pass over the middle
but had it punched loose by the veteran Tristan Jackson, while there to
pick it up was rookie linebacker Jeff Knox Jr.
A first down scramble by Smith and a 15-yard penalty for a late hit
against Ottawa’s Antoine Pruneau moved the Rider offence to the 16, but
on the ensuing play it became all for not. Smith evaded pressure and
beat the defence outside, but his pass to the end zone was picked off by
defensive back Abdul Kanneh to put a sudden halt to both the drive and
the Riders’ momentum.
Smith paid for the mistake despite completing six of his first 10
passing attempts, the Riders electing to switch to backup Sunseri
immediately after. It appeared the change had sparked something for
Saskatchewan’s offence, but as soon as Ryan Smith scored on a
catch-and-run the score was nullified by a holding penalty. Then Paul
McCallum hit the upright on a 37-yard field goal try, leaving the Riders
empty-handed heading into the half.
Price Scores his First REDBLACK TD
A chess match ensued throughout most of the quarter as neither
offence could muster up anything game-changing – until late in the
frame.
Jackson caught a 29-yard pass to set up Johnson’s second touchdown
run of the game, then Damaso Munoz’s forced fumble – recovered by Malik
Jackson – set up a 35-yard rushing touchdown by Johnson for his third of
the game.
A fumble by Steven Miller on the ensuing kickoff rubbed salt in the
Riders’ wound, leading to a Burris one-yard plunge to put the game well
out of reach.
The Riders did manage some damage on defence late, forcing an
interception on Burris – the veteran pivot’s first in 189 passing
attempts. A McCallum field goal rounded out the scoring, as the Riders
suffered their second most lopsided loss of the season next to a 30-5
loss to Edmonton.
Saskatchewan is back in action next Sunday in a matchup on Mark's
Labour Day Weekend against the Bombers back at home, one most would
consider a must-win game for Corey Chamblin's club which remains three
wins out of a playoff spot. The REDBLACKS on the other hand will enjoy
the victory over a bye week before visiting BC on Sunday, Sept. 13.
