It was a tie in the nation’s capital as a roughing the passer call caused a victory to slip away from the grasp of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday night.
The Riders thought the game was over when linebacker Adam Auclair jumped on a fumble by Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum in overtime.
But as the teams were shaking hands, the CFL command centre made a ruling that roughing the passer had occurred which extended the overtime period.
The game ended with Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward making a 14-yard field goal to tie it at 22 and end the game.
Defensive back Rolan Milligan picked off Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum late in the fourth quarter for his sixth interception of the year.
That led to Brett Lauther hitting a 37-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead with just 45 seconds left in the game.
While Ward hit a kick with time expired to send it to overtime, each team scored touchdowns in the first overtime games and traded field goals in the second.
Earlier in the overtime, after the Redblacks scored their first touchdown, it appeared the game was over then with Ottawa forcing an incompletion on third down.
But a challenge by head coach Corey Mace led to a pass interference penalty being called, extending the game for the Riders.
The tie moves the Riders to 5-3-1 and in first place in the CFL West Division ahead of the B.C. Lions. The Lions take on the Edmonton Elks on Sunday.
Riders quarterback Shea Patterson, who was making his sixth straight start for the injured Trevor Harris, completed 29 of 48 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns — one of which came in overtime.
Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum came into the game after Dru Brown left in the second quarter due to an apparent leg injury. Prior to leaving, Brown had completed six of nine passes for 55 yards.
Crum completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards and an interception in the game. He also added 72 yards and a touchdown in overtime on the ground.
More to come…