Turnovers were the difference as the Ottawa REDBLACKS defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 36-28 on Friday night at TD Place, snapping a seven-game losing skid in the process. The REDBLACKS capitalized on a myriad of turnovers, generating 25 points off of them. Quarterbacks Dustin Crum and Tyrrell Pigrome played pivotal roles in the victory, combining for three touchdowns. For the Riders, a late surge wasn’t enough to overcome their earlier mistakes.
Results
Team
1
2
3
4
T
SSK
7
6
1
14
28
OTT
7
12
3
14
36
Saskatchewan Roughriders Breakdown
Offense:
Passing:
Jake Dolegala: 26/37, 279 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing:
Frankie Hickson: 9 ATT, 77 YDS
Antonio Pipkin: 3 ATT, 5 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving:
Kian Schaffer-Baker: 7 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD
Tevin Jones: 6 REC, 59 YDS
Defense:
Tackles:
Larry Dean (LB): 12 tackles
Amari Henderson (CB): 7 tackles
Saskatchewan’s offense started strong with quarterback Jake Dolegala finding rhythm with his receivers. Despite some notable plays, including Frankie Hickson’s 18-yard run, turnovers marred their performance. The defense, led by Larry Dean with 12 tackles, had moments of brilliance but failed to counter Ottawa’s offensive moves effectively.
Ottawa REDBLACKS Breakdown
Offense:
Passing:
Dustin Crum: 21/26, 243 YDS, 2 TD
Rushing:
Devonte Williams: 22 ATT, 136 YDS
Dustin Crum: 5 ATT, 53 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving:
Jaelon Acklin: 5 REC, 66 YDS
Bralon Addison: 5 REC, 40 YDS, 1 TD
Defense:
Tackles:
Adam Auclair (LB): 10 tackles
Frankie Griffin (LB): 6 tackles
Ottawa’s offense was spearheaded by Dustin Crum, who managed a clean game with 243 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Devonte Williams was another standout, amassing 136 yards on the ground. On the defensive side, Adam Auclair led with 10 tackles, contributing to multiple turnovers that turned the game in Ottawa’s favor.
Final Thoughts
The game was a tale of two sides: Saskatchewan’s struggle with turnovers and Ottawa capitalizing on them. This win changes the dynamics in the CFL standings and adds interest to upcoming matchups. As far as CFL scores go, this wasn’t the closest game, but it sure had its moments of high-octane football action.
Both teams will look to adjust as the season continues. For Ottawa, it’s about maintaining this newfound momentum, and for Saskatchewan, it’s back to the drawing board to minimize costly errors.
Mark Perry is the founder and editor of CFL News Hub. A dedicated and experienced football analyst, he has been providing comprehensive coverage of the sport since 2018.