The Canadian Press
OTTAWA—Jeremiah Johnson took full advantage when opportunity came calling.
Johnson scored three rushing touchdowns as the Redblacks downed the Saskatchewan Roughriders 35-13 yesterday, three days after Ottawa released international running back Chevon Walker, who he replaced in the starting lineup.
The Roughriders, who had their second lowest point total in a game this season, fell to 0-9. They scored just five points in a 35-5 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on July 31.
After a tight first half that had Ottawa (5-4) in front 14-10, the game took a huge turn in favour of the Redblacks over a span of three minutes and 44 seconds from the end of the third quarter and into the fourth.
Ottawa scored 21 points in that span to take a 35-10 lead and control of the game.
It started with 3:09 to play in the third quarter when Johnson scored a one-yard touchdown run that once converted by Chris Milo, gave the Redblacks a 21-10 lead.
On the ensuing series, Ottawa recovered a Saskatchewan fumble and Johnson scampered in from 36 yards out on the next play for another score and a 28-10 lead.
Another Riders’ fumble late in the third quarter was converted into points on a one-yard run from Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris 35 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Milo then converted his fifth touchdown of the day and the Redblacks were cruising with a 35-10 lead.
Paul McCallum kicked a 28-yard field goal with less than seven minutes to play, cutting the Saskatchewan deficit to 35-13.
The Redblacks defence recorded 10 sacks. They also forced two fumbles and intercepted one pass.
The Redblacks scored on their opening two drives to take a 14-0 lead while allowing the Riders to just five offensive plays over their first two series.
Ottawa covered 89 yards in five plays on the opening drive of the game that ended with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Burris to Maurice Price. The conversion by Milo gave the Redblacks a 7-0 lead.
After forcing the Roughriders into a two-and-out situation, Ottawa moved the ball 78 yards in just under three minutes and took a 14-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown run from Johnson.
The rest of the half featured only punts for the Redblacks as the Roughriders possessed the only offensive punch before the break.
In the only other CFL game this weekend, the Stampeders trampled the Blue Bombers 36-8 on Saturday.
