The Ottawa Redblacks will be moving on to the 2015 Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos following a dramatic win in Sunday’s East Division final at TD Place against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Next Sunday’s 103rd Grey Cup game between the Redblacks and the Eskimos — who romped to a huge 45-31 win over Calgary in the West Division Final, also played on Sunday — represents the first time in 34 years that an Ottawa team has been to the big game.
It was a cool, sunny day in Ottawa on Sunday and TD Place was filled to the brim with Redblacks fans eager to witness the team’s first CFL playoff game in just its second season.
From the beginning, the game looked as if it would be a high-scoring affair, with both teams trading quick drives and scoring touchdowns to make it 19-17 at the end of the first half.
The highlight of the game was a second down and long-yardage situation with one minute left in the fourth quarter, with the Redblacks backed up deep in their own zone.
Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris needed 25 yards for a first down, but he aired it out to receiver Greg Ellingson for a stunning 93-yard touchdown pass to put the Redblacks up 35-28. It would end up being the game’s deciding play.
It was the third time in three games that Ottawa had defeated Hamilton this season.
It was also just the latest feat in a remarkable sophomore season, as Ottawa finished 12-6 with the best regular-season record in the East Division, a year after winning just two games and finishing dead last.
The CFL championship game in Winnipeg next Sunday, Nov. 29, begins at 6 p.m. Ottawa time.