Redblacks Win, But Injury to Jaelon Acklin Casts Shadow Over Victory

The Ottawa Redblacks earned a hard-fought 34-27 victory over the B.C. Lions on Saturday night, but the win was bittersweet.

After watching teammate Jaelon Acklin leave the field by ambulance, the Redblacks were determined to get a win, but celebrations were muted as they thought of their injured teammate.

With 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, both teams were shaken when Acklin, who had jumped to catch a pass, collided with T.J. Lee and fell awkwardly, remaining motionless on the field.

On the ensuing play, the Redblacks were able to extend their lead after Dustin Crum muscled his way across the one-yard line to take a 34-24 lead.

There was some good news as the team revealed that Acklin was moving his extremities and was being examined in hospital.

“I think you’re just hoping that he’s OK,” said Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who was 28-for-37 for 390 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

“It’s a very humbling moment. You know, we’re so focused on winning the game and doing our job and, yeah, it’s kind of the sad reality of what we do and that’s kind of the risk we take.”

Brown, along with head coach Bob Dyce, felt the way the team was able to remain composed and focused speaks volume of the squad's character and support for one another.

“These guys are a mentally strong group,” said Dyce. “I’m not saying they put it out of their heads, but to be able to refocus, go in and finish that drive with a touchdown and then finish the game and run out the clock is a testament to these guys. I can’t say enough positive things about this group.”

It was a tough outing for the Lions (5-6-0) who dropped their fifth straight game and second in a row with quarterback Nathan Rourke running the offence.

“We’re underachieving in key moments,” said Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “The game’s there for the taking in the fourth quarter, and we’re not getting it done right now.”

Rourke, making his second start since returning from the NFL, was 22-for-31 for 234 yards and one interception.

“I think it starts with me,” said Rourke. “I think I’ve got to make more plays. I have to trust our O-line, trust our guys, go through the reads and make plays.”

Rourke admitted he felt like he took a step forward, but without a win to show for it, he said it’s still not good enough.

Most times back-to-back games aren’t ideal, but Rourke doesn’t mind these two teams squaring off again next Saturday.

“I feel like we left a lot out there,” he said. “I’m glad that we know what we’re going to expect from them and go from there.”

The Redblacks leave Ottawa undefeated at home, after improving to 5-0-1 at TD Place, and riding a six-game undefeated streak.

Ottawa, which trailed 17-12 at the half, played its best ball in the final 30 minutes.

On the first drive of the second half, Brown found rookie Nick Mardner at the 51-yard line, and after catching a pass he sprinted all the way for a touchdown. Ottawa was successful on a two-point convert, taking a 20-17 lead.

Ottawa extended its lead midway through the third quarter when Brown found Mardner, again, connecting for a 22-yard pass to take a 27-17 lead.

The rookie receiver was pretty happy with the way his evening played out.

“To do that and come out with a team win is everything,” said Mardner. “There’s been times where people do great and, you know, it doesn’t mean nothing if you don’t win so to contribute and come out with a win on top and celebrate it with the guys in the room and the people that I love is all I could ask for.”

The Lions made it down to Ottawa’s one-yard line on an 11-play drive that culminated with David Mackie pushing his way in for his second TD to trail 27-24.

The Lions started the game with a 69-yard drive, capped by Mackie’s one-yard TD, giving B.C. a 7-0 lead.

Ottawa responded with a 24-yard field goal but the Lions extended their lead with a Sean Whyte 16-yard field goal, making it 10-3.

After a blocked field goal — which ended Whyte’s streak of 29 straight this season — led to a single point for the Lions, Ottawa closed the gap with Acklin’s 22-yard TD, making it 11-9 as Ottawa failed to connect on the two-point convert. The drive started after Rourke was picked off by Frankie Griffin.

Rourke, who had a 51-yard run, set up a 21-yard field goal for B.C., and Whyte then added a 35-yard field goal making it 17-9.

With 17 seconds remaining in the half, Lewis Ward hit a 54-yard field goal to make it 17-12.