REDBLACKS 27 BLUE BOMBERS 24

OTTAWA – Chris Milo kicked four field goals and Henry Burris threw for 370 yards as the Ottawa Redblacks defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27-24 on Friday to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in their young history.

This is the third incarnation of Ottawa football in the CFL and the second season for the Redblacks. The old Rough Riders qualified for the post-season in 1994, despite finishing the regular season with a 4-14 record, and folded in 1996.

The Renegades played four seasons in the league starting in 2002 and never made the playoffs before the franchise was suspended in 2006. There were 13 years where there was no football in Ottawa between franchises.

Neither team was able to produce any offence in the fourth quarter until late when the Redblacks increased their 19-9 lead with a four-yard touchdown run from Will Powell, his second major of the game.

An 82-yard single on the ensuing kickoff gave the Redblacks a 27-6 lead. But, Matt McNichols threw a three-yard touchdown to Nick Moore in the final two minutes and then a five-yard pass to Clarence Deadmark with 10 seconds.

The Redblacks (9-6) won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff of the game, which was quickly fumbled by Reggie Dunn and recovered by the Blue Bombers (5-11) deep in Redblacks’ territory.

(The Canadian Press)