Nova Scotia completes 21-14 come from behind OT win vs. Manitoba to open FCC day 2

Stats

Nova Scotia rallied down 14 points after three quarters of play to pull off an exciting 21-14 overtime win in the first game on the second day of the 2012 Football Canada Cup hosted by the Ontario Football Alliance (OFA) at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of Western University in London, Ontario.

Manitoba opened the scoring at when starting quarterback, Foster Martens found receiver, Jayden McKoy on a 25-yard screen pass to take the early 7-0 lead. The score capitalized on an opening series interception by linebacker, Brendon Gladu which gave Manitoba the ball back at midfield.

On the next series Nova Scotia quarterback, Scott Borden was intercepted for the second time on the day, this time by Brock Lekterman whose pick 6 was brought back due to a block in the back penalty. Manitoba was unable to capitalize on the turnover this time around, as the 35-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

With 11 seconds remaining in the quarter, a 44-yard touchdown run by running back, Alex Taylor extended Manitoba’s lead to 14. Taylor looked sharp throughout the game, totaling a game high 115 yards on the ground.

Nova Scotia was unable to solve Manitoba through three quarters, until momentum shifted early in the fourth quarter when Nova Scotia’s defense recovered a fumble by running back, Jayde Erasmo inside the Manitoba 30 yard line. On the very next play, Borden atoned for his two earlier picks by finding receiver, Alex Bayne in the end zone on a 28-yard pass to bring Nova Scotia within 7 with 9:46 left to play.

With Nova Scotia’s offense looking to score again down late in the 4th quarter, Borden’s pass was intercepted by defensive back, Christian Guenette down the goal line. Nova Scotia’s defense held strong leading to a Manitoba three and out.

After a Nate Rostek return to the 55 yard line a 3rd down conversion on a quarterback sneak set up Nova Scotia at the Manitoba 36 with just over two minutes left to play. A roughing the passer penalty gave Nova Scotia the ball at the 22 and a later offside penalty moved them up to the seven yard line. Threatening near the goal line, running back David Nisbet tied the score at 14 with a 7-yard run.

The game needed overtime to solve the deadlock. In the shootout format, each team received the ball at their opponents 35, with Nova Scotia getting the first opportunity. A 24-yard Borden strike on a play action pass to receiver, Ryan Keays completed the dramatic Nova Scotia comeback. Kicker, Chase Kosdejs who helped his team all game, converted the PAT to make the score 21-14.

After Manitoba quarterback, Jamie Dzikowicz who relieved Martens early in the 4th quarter set up 1st and goal at the 6, Rostek sealed Nova Scotia’s come from behind win, intercepting Dzikowicz’s pass.

Nova Scotia now moves on to face the winner of Ontario East and New Brunswick in the 5th place game at 1 pm ET while Manitoba will face the loser to open Saturday’s series of games at 10 am.

Players of the game: