CRUM-MY ENDING IN OTTAWA

OTTAWA – Fourth-string quarterbacks aren’t supposed to be the hero, but that’s exactly what Dustin Crum was Saturday afternoon as he was instrumental in the Ottawa Redblacks’ 31-28 overtime victory over the heavily favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place.

The 24-year-old was making his first start for the Redblacks (2-3) as they go through a rash of injuries, but it’s not likely to be his last.

Trailing 25-17 late in the fourth quarter, Crum managed to drive the Redblacks down field and scored a touchdown off a 12-yard run. He then connected on a two-point conversion to tie the game 25-25 in the dying seconds.

After the Bombers kicked a field goal in overtime, Crum ran in a 29-yard touchdown to complete the CFL comeback. The Redblacks had erased a 16-point deficit in the final three minutes.

Crum finished the game passing 26-for-42 for 261 yards. He was sacked six times, and could have lost confidence, but as the game went on he played to his strengths and rushed for 103 yards.

It’s what ultimately made the difference.

“I got an open field and I had Brandon Alexander in front of me for them and that’s kind of always been my thing as a quarterback is if you have an open field there’s no reason to slide there,” said Crum. “If you have a two-way go make it hard on him and I was able to make him miss a little bit and get to the end zone.”

The moment was made all the more special as Crum’s father and maternal grandfather, visiting from Ohio, were on hand to see his performance.

Crum was mobbed by teammates and said it’s a moment he won’t soon forget.

“It was excitement, not only for me in that moment, but for the fans, for the community, for my teammates and getting to be a part of that and getting to see all the work these guys put in,” said Crum.

“These guys work their butts off and for us to be able to kind of get a little bit of reward and feel that success is what it’s all about.”

The Bombers (4-2) were somewhat in shock over the turn of events.

Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros finished the game passing 22-for-32 for 354 yards with two touchdowns had few words to describe the collapse.

“They ended up making more plays than us there, so hats off to Ottawa,” said Collaros. “We didn’t make enough plays and they were able to gain some momentum there and win the game.”

Collaros felt the Redblacks had a better second half and gave credit to Ottawa’s defence, who made it difficult for the Bombers to establish its run game. Winnipeg was held to a season-low 26 yards.

“We just couldn’t get it going,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea. “We didn’t move them off the ball like we should be able to do or have been able to do in the past. We just didn’t get the movement that we needed.”

(Canadian Press)