MONTREAL – A commanding performance by the Ottawa Redblacks saw them handily defeat the Montreal Alouettes 27-12 in an exciting CFL pre-season tilt on Friday. The Redblacks showcased impressive offensive firepower and staunch defensive stands, setting a strong tone for the upcoming season.
Redblacks’ Early Dominance in CFL Pre-season Clash
The Percival Molson Memorial Stadium crowd witnessed an offensive clinic, primarily from the Redblacks’ aerial attack. Quarterback Jake Maier, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy, connected twice with wide receiver Keelan White for touchdowns – a 12-yard strike followed by a concise four-yard grab. Not to be outdone, fellow signal-caller Bryson Barnes electrified the field with a nine-yard rushing touchdown, proving Ottawa’s versatility on offense. Maier’s stat line was impressive, completing 10 of 14 pass attempts for a solid 155 yards, while Barnes was flawless on all eight of his throws, tallying 109 yards.
Ottawa’s dominance extended beyond the endzone. Kicker Paul Geelen chipped in with crucial field goals from 40 and 26 yards, widening the gap and giving the Redblacks a comfortable 17-4 lead heading into halftime. Receiver Cade McDonald was another standout, securing four catches for a valuable 73 yards.
The Alouettes, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm against the Redblacks’ tenacious defense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 15 of 20 passes for 130 yards, but many drives sputtered. Their lone touchdown came late in the fourth quarter from a two-yard rush by Shomari Lawrence. Kicker Jose Carlos Maltos managed a 21-yard field goal in the first half but missed a longer 52-yard attempt, highlighting their offensive woes in this particular CFL pre-season encounter.
Looking ahead, the CFL pre-season continues its exhilarating schedule on Saturday. Defending champions, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, are slated to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Additionally, fans can anticipate the Edmonton Elks visiting the B.C. Lions and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats facing off against the Toronto Argonauts in other matchups across the Canadian football league. This initial showing certainly provides Ottawa fans with a glimmer of hope for a promising season ahead.
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