Redblacks lose season opener to Edmonton Elks in wet conditions
New quarterback Jake Maier struggled as Ottawa fell 29-21 at TD Place despite a late rally and even a sideline visit from Alfie.
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The Ottawa Redblacks couldn't complete a comeback against the Edmonton Elks in their rainy season opener at TD Place on Saturday, losing 29-21.
New starting quarterback Jake Maier completed 22 of 37 passes for 203 yards but couldn't rally the offence when it mattered. Eugene Lewis pulled in a 40-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to spark a drive, and Maier connected with Justin Hardy for a 12-yard touchdown and Keelan White for the two-point conversion. With just over a minute left from their own 34-yard line, the Redblacks couldn't connect on a couple of final passes.
Canadian running back Daniel Adeboboye was the bright spot, running 12 times for 87 yards. But Edmonton built a 13-0 lead the Redblacks never quite recovered from, helped by early miscues — a snap miscommunication on a short-yardage attempt, two penalty calls on veteran linebackers making their debuts (C.J. Reavis for roughing the passer, Nyles Morgan for a face mask), and a strip sack.
Even a sideline visit from former Senators great Daniel Alfredsson, who waved to the crowd during the fourth quarter, couldn't swing momentum.
The announced attendance of 15,038 looked generous — far more fans watched from the concourse shelter than sat in the stands on one of spring's wettest nights.