La saison spéciale de ROUGE et NOIR à la Place TD
11/01/2024 09:05 AM
Roughly 170,000 fans poured through the gates of TD Place to take in an Ottawa REDBLACKS game this season, where they were treated to something special.
On the TD Place turf in 2024, the REDBLACKS were absolutely dominant. Boasting a 7-1-1 record, they outscored their opposition 246-192, amassing 15 points in the standings in the process, the most of any CFL team.
Not only that, but it was the best season at home in the history of the REDBLACKS' franchise, a stark difference compared to each of the last couple of seasons.
In previous years, fans were treated to big moments like the Dustin Crum-engineered comeback over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, or a Canada Day win over the Edmonton Elks, but in 2024, it seemed like that happened on most nights out at the park.
Right from the start of the season, fans enjoyes a banger of a game with the Bombers in town. The REDBLACKS held the lead late, but a weather delay kept everyone hanging around waiting to see what would happen. With time to draw up a plan, Winnipeg's offence got marching, getting all the way down to Ottawa's seven-yard line.
The REDBLACKS got the stop, highlighted by a soaring effort by Damon Webb to breakup a sure-thing touchdown, before Lorenzo Mauldin sacked Zach Collaros on third down to force a turnover.
Only two weeks later, the REDBLACKS were in another thriller. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats took the lead with only 30 seconds left to play, but Dru Brown and the offence put Lewis Ward in position to nail a walk-off winner.
Not to mention that the game was headlined by a great show, with Big Wreck performing at halftime.
After a couple of weeks on the road, the REDBLACKS returned to their friendly confines in Week 7, when they beat the Elks by six, before dropping the hammer on the Calgary Stampeders in Week 8 with a 33-6 victory.
After the bye, they played an odd contest with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, which ended in a draw, one of the only blips on the radar for Ottawa at home all season long.
In possibly one of the most thrilling games of the season, the REDBLACKS took down the B.C. Lions in Week 12, with Brown throwing for 390 yards and three touchdowns. Three receivers went over 90 yards for Ottawa, and they overcame an early deficit with the help of the home fans.
On September 7th, Ottawa hosted Toronto, and all three phases were clicking. Webb had a pair of pick-sixes, the offence scored a pair of touchdowns, and the special teams were their usual selves, resulting in a big-time win.
A few weeks later, the only loss came, but in Week 21, the REDBLACKS finished strong. They played a spirited game against the Tiger-Cats once again, finishing with a goal-line stand to secure the best home record in the league and franchise history.
Special is the best word for it.
Now, they'll look to take the party on the road, and that begins with you, the fans. You've supported all season long, and no matter where you're cheering from on Saturday, whether you're in Toronto with the team, at the watch party, or on your couch, be loud and proud.
