Windsor Holds Off Ottawa in Thriller, 30-24 (Highlights)

Ottawa, ON – In a high-octane matchup that saw a late surge from the home team, Windsor held firm to secure a hard-fought road win.

Ottawa opened the scoring early with a touchdown at 10:15 in the first quarter, finishing a 6-play, 39-yard drive with a successful extra point from Zachary Copeland. But Windsor answered back quickly, as Brady Lidster drilled field goals from 30 and 49 yards to pull his team within one by the end of the first quarter.

Late in the first, Zach Talbot swung the momentum of the game as he raced through Ottawa's defence and blocked a punt attempt at the 24-yard line. Two Gee Gee player tried feverishly to keep the ball away from Talbot as it entered the Ottawa end zone. The ball was kicked towards the far sidelines but Talbot was able to race it down and recover it before the ball could go out of bounds for the touchdown.

Windsor rode the wave in the second quarter. Weagbe Mombo took a hand off from quarterback Nick Dimovski, exploded through a hole and took the football 51 yards for the score giving the Lancers a 20-7 lead.

Late in the first half, Nick Dimovski ran it in from four yards out as Windsor went into the break up 27-7.

Ottawa clawed back slowly in the second half. A rouge in the third and a late-game safety reduced the deficit. However, it wasn’t until the final minutes of the fourth quarter that Ottawa truly threatened. Two quick touchdown drives — the last coming with just 59 seconds left — brought them within six.

Despite Ottawa’s 478 yards of total offense and a 27-17 edge in first downs, Windsor's opportunistic defense and efficient rushing attack (210 yards on the ground) proved decisive. Ottawa's three interceptions and seven sacks allowed stymied their comeback hopes.

Brady Lidster was once again a difference-maker for Windsor, going 3-for-3 on field goals and adding three PATs for a 12-point personal haul.

Windsor improves to 4-3 while Ottawa drops to 3-4 in the OUA standings with one game left on the regular schedule.