Medlock kicks four field goals to set single-season record in win over Redblacks

“I think I’ve had better years and some better kicks and I missed some at the beginning of the year that kind of drives me nuts, but I’m kicking well now. I came here to do some good things so it’s been a solid season.”

The Redblacks (8-9-1) also made some history, becoming the first team in the CFL to win a division crown while posting a losing record.

The Blue Bombers finished the regular season 11-7.

Ottawa didn’t play many of its starters Friday, including quarterbacks Henry Burris and Trevor Harris, the only two men to start at pivot for the team this season prior to Friday. Harris did throw one pass on a fake field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter, but the pass was incomplete.

Brock Jensen got the start in their place and split the duties with Danny O’Brien, who worked the middle two quarters.

The Blue Bombers avoided a potential East Division semifinal matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Instead they will either host the B.C. Lions or travel to Vancouver for the West Division semifinal next Sunday.

Ottawa awaits the winner of next Sunday’s East Division semifinal between the host Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Eskimos, who earned a crossover berth from the West division.

“Two things we wanted to accomplish tonight was, one — win the game, and two — to come out as healthy as we could. It was disappointing to lose,” Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said, adding their record to this point doesn’t matter.

“All that matters is who comes two weeks from now and plays good football for 60 minutes. That’s part of the reason decisions were made to sit some people, to put ourselves in as good a position as we can for the next game, and if we win that no one is going to care if we were 9-8-1 or 8-9-1.”

The Bombers took control of a back-and-forth game late in the third quarter when they opened a 30-20 lead following a 10-yard touchdown pass from Matt Nichols to Darvin Adams.

They had opened a 16-10 lead early in the quarter when Medlock kicked an 11-yard field goal, but a 29-yard touchdown run from Travon Van, once converted, gave the Redblacks a 17-16 lead.

Quincy McDuffie returned the ball 95 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, giving the Bombers a 23-17 lead.

Ray Early kicked a 27-yard field goal at 10:35 to cut Winnipeg’s advantage to seven 11 minutes into the third quarter.

The Redblacks had opened an early 7-0 lead, recording their first pick-six of the season on the second play of the game.

After Nichols completed a short pass on his first attempt, his second was deflected and ended up in the hands of Nic Taylor, who zigged, then zagged 57 yards to the end zone.

It took until the final play of the first quarter for the Bombers to draw even as Nichols connected with Adams on a 10-yard touchdown pass. The big play on that drive was a 50-yard reception to Weston Dressler.

“When we look at the film obviously there’s going to be things to work on,” Adams said.

“Right now we’re just happy we won the game and it’s the playoffs now. This is a tough league to win in so we’re just grateful that we got a win.”

Medlock gave the Bombers their first lead with a 20-yard field goal nine minutes into the second quarter.

Ottawa’s offence scored its first points of the night, and only points of the first half, on a 39-yard field goal from Early at 12:25, but Medlock connected from 15 yards out to give the Bombers a 13-10 lead 36 seconds later.

Darren Desaulniers, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Medlock kicks four field goals to set single-season record in win over Redblacks

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