(Ottawa) The Ottawa Redblacks maintained their perfect record at home on Friday with a 20-14 victory over the Edmonton Elks.
The Manitoba team has lost all six of its games this season, while the Ottawa club improved its record to 4-2. The Red and Blacks have thus matched their win total from last season, winning all three of their games in the Canadian capital.
Dru Brown finished his night with 22 completions of 33 attempts for 257 yards and two interceptions in the win.
The Red and Blacks relied heavily on the success of kicker Lewis Ward to win. Ward made four of his five field goal attempts, the longest from 48 yards.
Former Montreal Alouettes kicker Boris Bede struggled for the visitors, putting the ball between the posts just four times on seven field goals. McLeod Bethel-Thompson connected with his receivers 27 times on 39 throws for 206 yards and one interception.
Ward scored three points on a 45-yard kick late in the fourth quarter, but the Elks stayed in the game thanks to a 19-yard field goal from Bede that made it 20-14.
The Red and Blacks opened the scoring with a seven-play offensive sequence that led to Ryquell Armstead’s three-yard rushing touchdown.
The rest of the game was a matter for the kickers.
Bédé scored the Elks’ first points with a three-pointer in the first quarter, giving the hometown favorites a 7-3 lead.
The Red and Blacks tried to extend their lead with a 47-yard field goal, but Ward missed a rare attempt and settled for a single. Bédé then reduced the gap again with a 39-yard effort.
Ward redeemed himself with a 48-yard field goal, but then it was Bede’s turn to miss a kick on a 48-yard attempt, allowing Tobias Harris to return the ball to the Edmonton 54-yard line. Ottawa failed to capitalize as Brown was tampered with two plays later.
After reaching the four-yard line late in the second quarter, the Redblacks were forced to make a field goal, and the Elks ended the half with another three-point field goal.
Harris needed help off the field late in the fourth quarter after an awkward fall.