(Ottawa) Damon Webb returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the first half and the Ottawa Redblacks beat the Toronto Argonauts 41-27 on Saturday to maintain their perfect record at TD Place.
The Redblacks are 8-3-1 this season and 6-0-1 at home. They also increased their lead over the Argonauts (6-6-0) in the Eastern Conference standings.
Despite the light rain that fell for most of the game, Redblack quarterback Dru Brown was consistent from start to finish, completing 30 of his 40 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown.
The story was different for Chad Kelly, who threw four interceptions and completed 36 of 56 catches for 463 yards and three majors.
The local favourites quickly set the tone in the first quarter, taking a 13-3 lead.
Webb intercepted a pass from Kelly and ran it 29 yards to the end zone. On the Argonauts’ next offensive drive, another steal set up a 37-yard field goal for the Redblacks.
PHOTO JUSTIN TANG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ottawa Redblacks’ Brandin Dandridge (37) and Damon Webb (9) jump to try to stop Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Damonte Coxie (86) from receiving the ball.
The Argonauts finally scored their first points with a 37-yard field goal, but Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward quickly responded with a 20-yarder between the posts.
Webb picked off his second interception early in the second quarter on a 96-yard effort to give his team a 20-3 lead. Andre Miller added a 30-yard pass into the end zone.
The Argonauts were unable to build momentum in the first half, allowing a single and then a 51-yard field goal. They headed to the locker room for halftime down 31-3.
The Argonauts’ offense did better in the second half, with Kelly finding Tommy Nield and then Damonte Coxie twice for touchdowns.
In his first Canadian Football League game, rookie Khalan Laborn had a 33-yard rushing touchdown.