Cumberland Panthers Announce 2022 Commitments

I'm enjoying what the Cumberland Panthers are doing on Instagram these days. Similarly to how universities name their incoming commitments, the Panthers are making a point of letting us know who intends to be on their senior university team in the OSFL next summer.

There's a general Panthers account but also one specific to the Senior Varsity team, which is worth a follow.

As for Jaylen specifically, here is his 2021 highlights video.

Back when I was able to attend Myers Riders or Cumberland games simply as a fan, it was often brought to my attention how unusual that was. I'd get asked which kid I was there to watch and the answer of  "all of them" seemed to confuse the person asking. 

But that was the honest truth. I like being able to say that I watched Brendan Gillanders at Sir Wilfrid Laurier prior to his time with the Gee-Gees and the REDBLACKS, for example. Why do we love our "local" REDBLACKS yet make so little effort to support them when they're on their way up?

I appreciate that the Panthers are getting player names and faces out there for a little recognition. For that matter, good on them for continuing to keep the team's name and logo in view during the offseason. There is no downside to this.

July 9th, 1992: Toronto Argonauts 42 @ Ottawa Rough Riders 53 (OT)

Hearing new REDBLACKS GM Shawn Burke make mention of former Rough Riders GM Dan Rambo, along with copying the summary of the highest-scoring game in Riders history a few days ago, brought back fond memories of the contest below. It remains one of the best games I've ever seen, in person or on television.

Rambo had been named general manager at the end of 1991. It resulted in controversy immediately.

The head coach at the time, Joe Faragalli, was convinced that he would be retained for the 1992 season. Faragalli had been hired following an 0-4 start to the 1991 season and turned the team's fortunes around somewhat, winning seven of its remaining 14 games to reach a 7-11 record.

Rambo, instead, publicly stated that he would seek to interview candidates for the position, drawing Faragalli's ire. He would later hire Ron Smeltzer to replace Faragalli. 

Rambo also made it clear that salaries would need to be cut. Several popular veterans were released or asked to take reductions in pay.

It was all quite chaotic, but arguably less so than when the Riders finally took the field against the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.

The final score might seem unusual by today's set of rules. How does a team win by 11 points in overtime?

At the time, teams played two five-minute mini-halves to settle a tie game. It was a great system, in my opinion, that didn't put so much emphasis on winning a coin toss as the current one does. 

This team would go on to post a 9-9 record. For a while there, it looked like after many years of ineptitude, the Rough Riders might become a solid franchise again, but it was not to be.

The Gliebermans fired Dan Rambo at the end of May of 1993, a few days before the start of training camp, and the club reverted to their laughingstock status in short order. They could only manage a 4-14 record in 1993 and Lonie Glieberman has since admitted that firing Rambo on little more than rumours was the biggest mistake he made while in charge of the Rough Riders. 

"REDBLACKS Usher In New Era, Name Shawn Burke Franchise's Second General Manager"

The Ottawa REDBLACKS and OSEG are proud to announce that Shawn Burke will become the second general manager in franchise history.

A native of Guelph, Burke comes to Ottawa after nearly 15 years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, most recently serving as Senior Director of Player Personnel and Co-Manager of Football Operations for 2021’s Grey Cup runners-up.

“Today, we begin a new era of REDBLACKS football,” said President and CEO Mark Goudie, “We ran an extremely inclusive and in-depth GM search process that showcased the high calibre of football minds in our game. I am tremendously excited to experience the passion Shawn will bring to our team, and to RNation. On behalf of the OSEG ownership group — Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy, John Pugh and Bill Shenkman, we’re thrilled to welcome Shawn Burke to Ottawa.”

“I am also extremely appreciative of the excellent and professional job that Jeremy Snyder did in stepping up as our Interim GM, when we needed him.”

Prior to joining the Tiger-Cats – where Burke served in several key roles, including Assistant GM, Director of Football Operations, Director of Football Administration and Director of Community Relations and Communications – Burke spent three years with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.

In addition to his core duties with the Tiger-Cats – who have appeared in the Grey Cup game the past two seasons – Burke has also been responsible for such tasks as negotiating player contracts, and administrating the salary management system, among others.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Ottawa REDBLACKS and the entire OSEG Family,” said Burke. “I’d like to thank Roger Greenberg and the entire ownership group, Mark Goudie and Adrian Sciarra for giving me this great honour and responsibility. RNation, we’re going to hit the ground running — let’s get to work!”

Nov 1st, 1975: Queen's 27 @ uOttawa 56

While tracking down details of the 1975 Ottawa Rough Riders season, it struck that I'd done very little of the same for that year's University of Ottawa team, considered among the best in the history of the sport at that level.

For now, we'll start with their first playoff victory on the way to the national championship following an undefeated regular season. The other games leading up to that historical victory will get their own posts over time.

Gee-Gees' Jeff Avery receives a Jim Colton pass as Bill McIver moves in. - Mike Pearce, Citizen

Sept 7th, 1975: Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31 @ Ottawa Rough Riders 56

I'm currently adding results from the 1975 Rough Riders season and happened upon the highest points total put together by the club in a single game. This was a nice find made all the sweeter by the fact that a) I wasn't actually looking for it and hadn't planned to and b) it was dropped on Hamilton.

I don't believe that the team has broken that scoring record. I've found games in which they scored in the low 50s but not over 56, even with overtime.

It seems rather modest as a record for a team with a 120-year history. You'd think that at some point they'd have gone against a completely overmatched opponent and notched more than 56 points. Montreal's record, for example, is 82 points (also against Hamilton, hilariously, in 1955). Toronto's is 70 and they also scored 68 in another game.

Hamilton's record is 67 but it came against Saskatchewan. Any Tiger-Cat success is loathsome in and of itself but if it's at least directed against Saskatchewan, there's that silver lining.

It's shocking that Ottawa never crossed that 60-mark against one of the shitty pre-Alouettes Montreal teams, for example, but evidently that simply hasn't taken place. Ah well. But at least the record was set against Hamilton and for that we should be appreciative.  

Sept 1st, 2014: Carleton 33 @ Waterloo 14

With the two eras of Carleton teams now having separate pages, I thought I'd add some of the results for the current incarnation.

I added 2014's. This includes a victory in the first game of the season which was also the team's first since its return. That's certainly noteworthy so here's a partial recap of it, from the September 2nd, 2014, edition of The Record. Full version here.

Waterloo Warriors defender Matt Macera can't bring down Carleton Ravens Tunde Adeleke in the second half of Waterloo's loss last week  DAVID BEBEE / KITCHENER STAFF GRMP

The Ravens — yanked out of mothballs last season following 15 years in the cedar chest — survived the 18 penalties called against them for 220 yards on Monday.

But Carleton wasn't about to quibble with the outcome. With their million-dollar budget and roster of young game-breakers, the Ravens will use Monday's triumph as a stepping stone on the fast-track to respectability.

...

The Warriors, tagged with 14 penalties of their own, were more concerned about their lack of execution when it mattered.

Waterloo's first drive, a 10-play, 50-yard excursion ended abruptly on Carleton's 10-yard line when Warriors pivot Jamie Cook lobbed an interception to Justin Howell.

...

Ravens running back Jahvari Bennett scampered for 120 yards on Monday.

Carleton quarterback Jesse Mills threw two touchdown passes on the day, including a 39-yard strike to Andrew Ellis late in the first quarter to give the visitors a 10-0 cushion before 1,955 fans.

The Ravens built a 12-1 lead before Warriors linebacker/tight end Brendan Conway hauled in a four-yard TD pass from Cook for Waterloo's only touchdown.

Carleton conceded a safety late in the half and took a 12-11 lead into the locker-room at the break.

But the hosts wilted badly in the second half, scoring once, a Caleb Girard 16-yard field goal.

Eh eh eh! Make sure to mention that million-dollar budget! 😆

Another standout: Nate Hamlin had eight solo tackles. It's interesting to look back and see three defensive backs with heavy contributions in this game, arguably quite pivotal to the team's fortunes, go on to have pro careers in Hamlin (BC Lions), Adeleke (Calgary, Hamilton) and our very own Justin Howell.

RB Marley Patterson caught Mills' other touchdown pass. It was his only catch of the day, going for ten yards, but he also contributed an additional 57 yards on the ground on eight carries.

Oct 5th, 1974: uOttawa 23, Carleton 22

This was not a Panda Game contest between these two universities but it had some significance nonetheless. While the article below does not make mention of it, it was billed as a hundred-year anniversary tribute to the first football game played, between McGill and Harvard, in late October 1874.

Appropriately enough, its conclusion provided a spotlight on a uniquely Canadian rule. 

Ah, the single point, you long-misunderstood, delightful bastard! May you live forever!

Are you among those who think that awarding a single point for a missed field goal is rewarding failure? If so, you are incorrect. 

The single point rewards field position and getting the ball across the goal line at the conclusion of the play. You don't get a point for doinking the ball off the goal post or for a kick that falls short of it, yet those are still missed field goals. 

This is also why the defending team can avoid giving up the point by running the ball out of the endzone. If successful, at the conclusion of the play, the ball had not crossed the line. Therefore, no point.

The closer the offense is to the goal line, the more difficult the run back. You either drove the ball in position or recovered a turnover to make this possible so it is field position that is rewarded, not missing the field goal attempt.

When you've kicked it through the back of the endzone, obviously you had to cross the goal line to do so, so again, you've earned a point. You wouldn't be able to do this from your own 20-yard line. 

With that in mind, think of a successful field goal as awarding an additional two point for the added precision of getting it between the goal posts.

A lot of people don't care for this rule. That's certainly an opinion that anyone can be entitled to, but I've noticed that many of those who don't care for it also don't actually understand it (and become defensive when you point that out to them). 😋 

You can argue that skill and talent has improved to the point that the accomplishment is no longer reward-worthy, that's one thing. But stating that teams get rewarded for "missing a field goal" is ridiculous.

I wish the CFL (in particular) would direct the time spent considering doing away with the single point towards educating fans as to its actual purpose instead.

The 1955 Red Feather Tournament: St. Patrick's 27, East York 01

In 1954, some complained when St. Patrick's did not get an opportunity to play Nepean for the right to represent the region in Toronto in the annual Red Feather Tournament.

In 1955, things fell into place a little more nicely. St. Patrick's opened the season with a couple of wins  and it just so happened that they were going to play another undefeated team a few days prior to the tournament representative being chosen. That team was Fisher Park, and though St. Pat's only won by a score of 01-00, it was enough to perceive them as worthy of being our flag-bearers, so to speak, and to make the trip to Toronto. 

St. Patrick's actually had one more game at home to settle prior to making the trip and it turned out to be against the previous year's "controversial" Red Feather Tournament participant, Nepean.  Referred to as a "tune up" match, St. Patrick's won that game as well, with a more convincing score of 13-00.

Their selection thus further justified, the following St. Pat's team headed for Toronto.

The trip alone was something of an adventure. 

Undaunted by a near-tragedy, the kids dominated their opposition...

...And yet were not recognized as tournament champions. Bloor is mentioned in the article above because they were given that honour, partially based on a 28-00 victory against a school from Timmins.

And so again an Ottawa rep excels at the tourney but the prize is awarded to another club. St. Patrick's didn't appear to be too broken up about it, however; they went on to successfully defend their 1954 senior championship and in doing so, extend their undefeated streak to 17 games.

"REDBLACKS' DeVonte Dedmon crowned CFL's top special teams player"

OTTAWA - Ottawa REDBLACKS standout kick returner DeVonte Dedmon has been named the 2021 John Agro Special Teams Award recipient as the CFL’s most outstanding special teams player.

The awards were announced Friday night in Hamilton during the lead up to Sunday’s Grey Cup game between the Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The award, as voted on by his peers, recognizes Dedmon after a breakout season. The 26-year-old racked up a combined 2,841 return yards across punts and kicks, along with three touchdowns in the return game. With his third return major, against the Toronto Argonauts on November 6, Dedmon became the fastest player in CFL history to reach five career return touchdowns, in just 15 games. On offence, he posted 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, to go with 98 receiving yards.

Dedmon was the REDBLACKS’ unanimous nominee for the award. He was named an East Division All-Star upon the conclusion of the regular season.

A native of Williamsburg, Virginia, Dedmon signed a one-year contract extension with the REDBLACKS on November 2, 2021. 

Aug 25th, 1973: Rough Riders 30 @ Montreal Alouettes 03

I'm continuing to add game results from past Rough Riders seasons and have just hit 1973. This season will culminate with the team's second-last Grey Cup victory. 

The beginning of the season did not give cause to believe that it would conclude with celebration. The team lost its first four games and looked inept offensively much of the time. Things would turn around, starting with the victory in Montreal below.

In advancing through the 60s, I've added a few more game summaries of the two university teams, the Sooners and the league in which those very same Sooners had their start, the IJFL. You can access all of that in the respective pages above. 

"Ottawa Sooners Under New Ownership"

The following article was written by Everett Hanmer. You can read the complete version on the Ontario Football Conference website.

The new owner of the Ottawa Sooners wants to bring a national championship to the city. Entrepreneur and Businessman Kevin Ling now owns the organization, taking over from John and Tammy Allaire.

Ling has been a fan of football his whole life and grew up playing the sport. Ling is from Burlington which is where he was first introduced to the Sooners. “We used to play the Sooners every year when I played junior ball. The Sooners were familiar to me as an opponent.”

Ling knows that the Sooners are a part of the football culture in Ottawa. “When people think about football in this town they think about the Redblacks and the Ottawa (Rough Riders) and if you’re not talking about them, you’re talking about the Ottawa Sooners.” 

Since taking ownership Ling has wasted no time, as he already has a number of candidates he is planning on interviewing for the head coaching position. 

Ling says that giving back will be a part of the Sooners. “I think as a team that will be a big part of what we do to rebuild this organization because the Ottawa Sooners are part of the City of Ottawa.”

Ling was recently on TSN1200 to talk about this. I tried, but failed, to embed the player into this post so I can only provide this link. 

This is comforting being that I feared the Sooners might be done for the foreseeable future. I would have hated to see a 60-year old club just disappear unceremoniously. I'm hoping the club can participate in other age categories as well, but one thing at a time. For now, welcome back to the junior ranks, Sooners! 

(November 25th) "REDBLACKS re-sign Norman, Salmon and Texada"

These are coming in so fast that I've fallen behind in posting them! 

The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced Thursday that they’ve re-signed a trio of defensive players for the 2022 season, with linebackers Dwayne Norman and Shaheed Salmon, and defensive back Ranthony Texada extending with the team.

Norman, 26 joined the REDBLACKS for his fourth CFL season, after spending three with the Calgary Stampeders. In a career-high nine games this season, the Jacksonville, Florida native recorded three special teams tackles, and three defensive tackles, along with his first career sack, and forced fumble.

In his sophomore season with Ottawa, the 26 year-old Salmon suited up for 12 games. Hailing from Tampa, Florida, he tallied 12 tackles on special teams, as well as a forced fumble, and four tackles on defence.

Texada’s first CFL season saw him appear in three games for the REDBLACKS. The 26 year-old Smyrna, Georgia, product recorded a total of 11 tackles, including a career-high of six against the Montreal Alouettes on November 19.

I like what interim GM Jeremy Snyder and interim assistant GM Jean-Marc Edme are doing here. Following the termination of Marcel Desjardins, the only person to work the role of general manager in the team's existence, re-signing their own free agents is the only method those two men have at the moment of demonstrating that they deserve to stick around. They are making the most of it.

I've seen some grumbles about essentially bringing back the same team that just went 3-11. By my count, they have 49 players under contract for 2022, some of whom are "futures" types that have yet to play for Ottawa. They can still bring in dozens of new faces to compete for spots.

To be honest, there are a few of the guys signed over the past couple of days that I could do without seeing in 2022 but until you've found a replacement, better the devil you know. Signing them now does not guarantee them a significant role in 2022, or any role for that matter.

What does irritate me with each announcement is the player salary cap implication. We'd been told numerous times that the team was spending right to the cap in 2021, as they always have. Yet a large part of the strategy in signing these players now is so a portion of the salary is applied against unused 2021 cap space.

I believe that this was the plan all along, with 2021 essentially being an audition for 2022. I think they were content to field what they perceived to be a decent club on the relative cheap in 2021 (as a result of revenues expected to be way down) with the goal to make a more legitimate attempt in 2022 when things are relatively back to normal.

2021 results were probably far worse than they'd anticipated though. By the time fans began to loudly question the team's effort to field a competitive product and the REDBLACKS tried to right the ship (when Kenny Stafford was added along with five other players at mid-season), things were too far gone to turn around.

Who knows if that mid-season "splurge" on Stafford and company and the money being spent now would have helped if it had been spent in June? Perhaps not. But it might have at least avoided the perception that the team was not putting in a full effort. Long-time fans here don't need to be reminded of those days and few things will turn off any fan base than the perception that the club is not committed. If nothing else, Snyder/Edme are dispelling that notion with every re-signing. 

(November 24th) "REDBLACKS re-sign Gosselin, Dubois, Onyeka"

The Ottawa REDBLACKS continued a busy off-season on Wednesday, signing three Canadians including fullbacks Anthony Gosselin and Marco Dubois and defensive lineman Kene Onyeka to contract extensions for 2022. 

Gosselin will return for a fifth season next year following another strong display as a key piece of Ottawa's special teams unit. The 29-year-old Sherbrooke product appeared in 12 games this year, also pulling in four of five passes for 20 yards. 

Dubois, also an integral piece of the REDBLACKS special teams unit, appeared in 13 games during his third CFL campaign in 2021. Dubois, who is from Lasalle, Quebec and went to school at Laval, also caught two passes for 29 yards. 

Onyeka took a big step forward during his sophomore CFL season. While appearing in all but one game in 2021, the 25-year-old former Ottawa Gee-Gee had 14 defensive tackles, eight on special teams, a forced fumble and the first two sacks of his career. 

"REDBLACKS re-sign defensive backs Sherrod Baltimore and Brandin Dandridge"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS re-signed a pair of American defensive backs on Tuesday, locking up Sherrod Baltimore and Brandin Dandridge to deals for 2022. 

Baltimore, a veteran of 47 CFL games over four seasons with Ottawa, quickly became a fan favourite as a walk-on in 2017. Since then, he has recorded 112 defensive tackles, two interceptions along with one in the 2018 Grey Cup game, and a forced fumble. 

Dandridge, who played four games in 2019 with Ottawa before rejoining the team and dressing for eight games in 2021, impressed with four interceptions along with 11 defensive tackles. 

"REDBLACKS Enter Off-Season On High Note After Comeback Victory"

MONTREAL — The Ottawa REDBLACKS found a way to end a disappointing season on a high note.

The team snapped a six-game losing skid in their season finale by storming back late to claim a 19-18 victory over the playoff-bound Montreal Alouettes, and multiple players stepped up to give Ottawa hope heading into an important off-season.

Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Caleb Evans leaps over the pile to score a touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes during fourth quarter CFL football action in Montreal on Friday, November 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Quarterback Caleb Evans posted one of his best performances of his rookie season by rushing for two scores and throwing a pair of two-point conversions in the second half — including the game-winner with eleven seconds left.

...

Head coach Paul LaPolice saw his team finish with a 3-11 record, including just one win at home, but he said he was proud of the determined effort they sustained throughout the difficult season.

Getting the most out of a young offensive line while also trying to solidify the quarterback situation was just one of the challenges the team faced throughout the year.

“I’m humbled by what happened to our season and our record, but I’m proud of the men in this room,” LaPolice said. “The resiliency they have each week, how they showed up, and they didn’t turn fingers. They just tried to work to get better and continue to grow.”

Evans completed 18 of 29 passes for 173 yards while also adding 56 rushing yards in the Week 16 win. The 23-year-old quarterback shined on the game-winning drive by only missing one of his seven pass attempts with the game on the line.

Despite starting with the ball deep in their own end with just three minutes on the clock, Evans found a way to guide the offence the length of the field for the win.

...

Along with the play of Evans, Ottawa was also powered by a defence that didn’t surrender a single point in the second half.

The unit finished with three sacks and two forced fumbles, including a late turnover in the fourth quarter that led to the game-winning drive. Defensive lineman Davon Coleman pounced on both fumbles to secure possession for Ottawa.

Another major bright spot was the play of dynamic running back Timothy Flanders, who led the team in both rushing and receiving.

Flanders gained 62 yards on 10 carries while also contributing 67 receiving yards, and his 39-yard screen play with under two minutes remaining was the catalyst on the decisive drive. The 30-year-old CFL veteran finished the season as Ottawa’s leading rusher.

"REDBLACKS re-sign linebacker Avery Williams"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have locked in one of the stars of their defence, signing American linebacker Avery Williams to a one-year contract extension. 

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Williams has been among the CFL leaders in tackle all season, currently sitting in third place with 83. The 27 year-old also has posted a sack, and a forced fumble that he recovered, along with the first interception of his CFL career.

Rodney Estimé, Nathan Clark Named to OUA All-Rookie Team

The OUA named its rookie players of the year earlier today. Rather than list an entire line-up with players from the various programs, it appears they chose to name a single player from each team instead. 

In uOttawa's case, the selection was receiver Rodney Estimé. 

Photo Credit to Spencer Colby / The Charlatan

For Ottawa, Rodney Éstime came out of the gates on a mission, starting his university career with eight catches for 149 yards for an average of almost 19 yards per reception. He would finish the season with averages of five receptions and 70.5 yards per game, ranking sixth in the OUA in both categories. His 13.8 yards per catch and 359 total yards receiving also put the Montreal, Que. native in the top 10.

Defensive lineman Nathan Clark was the selection for Carleton. 

Nathan Clark, a defensive lineman from Kingsley, N.B., first found his footing in one of the biggest games on the university sport calendar, picking up a pair of assisted tackles in the Panda Game. He would chip in another three tackles in his following two games before capping of the regular season with his strongest outing to date (3.5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss).

A couple of names to file away for future seasons! The quoted text above is from the OUA's press release.

"REDBLACKS re-sign Canadian trio"

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS locked up three key Canadian contributors on Tuesday as the club announced contract extensions for defensive lineman Nigel Romick, running back Brendan Gillanders and defensive back Justin Howell.

Romick has been with the REDBLACKS since the club’s inaugural season in 2014 and has become one of the most effective and consistent special teams players on the roster. In 90 career CFL games, Romick has 91 special teams tackles, 14 defensive tackles and a sack, the latter coming this season.

Gillanders joined the REDBLACKS in 2016 after spending the first two years of his career with the Toronto Argonauts and a university career with the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Another critical piece of Ottawa’s  special teams game, Gillanders recently celebrated his 100th CFL contest. Since his rookie season in 2014, Gillanders has 61 carries for 282 rushing yards, as well as 338 receiving yards on 38 catches.

Howell, a former star with the Carleton Ravens, is wrapping up his third CFL campaign, all with the REDBLACKS. Playing a mix of special teams and safety, Howell has seen his role increase since his rookie season. Heading into Friday’s season finale, Howell has set new career highs in defensive tackles (20) and special teams tackles (9).

Oct 29th, 1949: Carleton 06 @ uOttawa 24

While appreciatively watching the OUA semi-final game between uOttawa and Queen's on OUA.tv, I also took some time to split some of the information about the garnet and grey between a few more pages specific to certain eras.

1949 to 1970 was selected as one period of time. The team joined the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Football Conference in 1949 so it felt like a good starting point. That time range includes the Matt Anthony-coached years and right through to an appearance in the National Championship game with Bob O'Billovich at the helm.

The smaller segments will make it easier to record the program's long history. I plan to include more game summaries on each dedicated page as well as individual and team honours and so on to the results that are already displayed. Having one page for a program that dates back to 1881 was becoming cumbersome.

The game below against Carleton, pre-Panda, is from that 1949 season. I thought it made a fine addition. A few more have been added as well here and there on this new page, with many more to come.

2021 NCAFA Midget Championship Highlights

A big thank you to the fine folks at HESN for putting this video together for a game I would have loved to get to but couldn't. 

June 24th, 2004: Toronto Argonauts 10 @ Ottawa Renegades 20

In making small updates to various pages, I happened to notice that while I have several Renegades recaps posted, they are all from 2002 and 2003 so I thought I would throw one down from the highly-disappointing 2004 season.

Ottawa hosted the Grey Cup game that year. Some members of the Renegades ownership group decided this was a good opportunity to cash in to offset some earlier losses. The team went cheap as a result and so a 3-0 start to the regular season crumbled into a 5-13 record and the team on the outside looking in come playoff time.  This is the second of those initial three victories. 

OUA Quarter Final: uOttawa 27 @ Toronto 17

Avenging an 11-10 loss in the first game of the season, the Gee-Gees ran over the Blues to set up a game in Kingston versus Queen's this coming weekend. Photography by Seyran Mammadov.

Full recap.

In the second quarter (leading 3-0), the Gee-Gees engineered at 76-yard drive down the field into Toronto territory that was capped off with a one-yard J-P Cimankinda touchdown run.

The Varsity Blues responded to get on the board in the waning seconds of the first half with a 26-yard field goal.

The Gee-Gees got their second turnover of the game on the opening kickoff of the second half, recovering a fumble and turning it into points on another Fair field goal to extend their lead to 13-3.

Later in the third, the Varsity Blues brought the game back within striking distance on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Clay Sequeira. The Gee-Gees wasted no time responding marching down the field and finding the end zone again on a 13-yard touchdown scamper by Dawson Odei.

Ottawa iced the game moments later when Chris Ciguineau picked off Sequeira and returned the ball 40 yards for the touchdown.

Toronto's comeback bid came too late, scoring again with 2:10 remaining in the game. A two-point conversion and onside kick attempt were both unsuccessful and the Gee-Gees were able to run out the clock to secure the win.