The Canadian Football League prides itself on wild and unpredictable finishes and that could just summarize overtime in Thursday's Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Redblacks game.
It ended in a 22-22 tie, but there were plenty of hijinks during extra time.
Tied 13-13 after regulation, Ottawa scored on their opening possession to take a 19-13.
Then it appeared the Redblacks sealed the win in overtime, but a challenge from Riders Head Coach Corey Mace led to a pass interference call against Ottawa. Saskatchewan took advantage and scored a touchdown thanks to a 10-yard reception from Samuel Emilus to tie the game. A two-point attempt was unsuccessful.
In the second mini game of overtime, the Riders jumped ahead with a field goal. Then it looked like the Roughriders were going to walk away with the win after a sack that forced a fumble and a fumble recovery by Saskatchewan.
But players were called back on to the field followed by a lengthy review initiated by the league’s command centre, a penalty was charged to Saskatchewan for roughing the passer. Ottawa settled on a field goal ending the game in a draw.
Adding to the craziness, after the game, Redblacks coach Bob Dyce was confronted by a fan on sidelines in overtime.
With heavy rain hard during regulation, points were hard to come by as each team kicked a field goal to provide their only source of scoring in the opening half.
Redblacks QB Dru Brown was forced to leave the game early in the second quarter after absorbing a hit from Riders defensive tackle Miles Brown. Following the game, Dyce said the injury was not serious and Brown had no structural damage.
Ottawa added seven points with a pair of field goals and a single to give themselves a touchdown lead late in the 4th quarter.
But the green and white tied the game with 1:57 remaining when Shawn Bane Jr hauled in a seven-yard touchdown reception.
The Roughriders grabbed their first lead of the game with 46 seconds, following Rolan Milligan’s league leading sixth interception of the season. Brett Lauther kicked a 37-yard field goal to give Saskatchewan the advantage.
But the Redblacks would not go quietly, setting themselves for a game tying 47-yard field goal from Lewis Ward with three seconds remaining.
On special teams, Saskatchewan blocked two field goal attempts from Ward during the game.
It was an up and down game for QB Shea Patterson, ending 30 for 49 with 299 passing yards along with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Dohnte Meyers sparkled in his CFL debut, with eight catches for 101 yards. Bane Jr ended up with eight catches for 90 yards and one touchdown.
Former Redblack Adam Auclair led the green and white in tackles with nine.
The Roughriders defence had five sacks.
Lauther was 3 for 3 in field goal attempts.
With the tie, Saskatchewan snapped their two-game losing skid at two and moved ahead of BC for top spot in the Western Division with one point.
Next action for the Roughriders is Friday, August 16 when they host the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium.