Johnny Manziel made his second-career Canadian Football League start on Saturday night. The former Heisman Trophy winner had an improved outing after his disastrous first start last weekend. The Montreal Alouettes lost to the Ottawa Redblacks, 24-17, but Manziel was much more accurate and had no turnovers. Manziel finished the game 16-of-26 for 168 yards. He also ran the ball three times for 36 yards. He admitted that it was better than his previous performance, but it didn’t take much for that to be the case. “I mean, we didn’t turn the ball over, we didn’t throw four picks in the first half,” Manziel said. “Anything is better than last week.” Manziel did take a brutal hit near the goal line. It was tough to watch. After Manziel took this hit last night #AlsMTL went 2 & out five straight possessions to finish the game. Excluding the final play where #Redblacks were in prevent Johnny was 3/7 for 12 yards in those five possessions. #CFL pic.twitter.com/cA9PAkRWyj — Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) August 12, 2018 Yikes. Thankfully, he appeared to come out of the game feeling OK.<doc-sep>OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Johnny Manziel eliminated the interceptions but couldn't generate enough offense for the Montreal Alouettes in a 24-17 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday night. After throwing four first-half interceptions last week in his Montreal debut, Manziel was 16 of 26 for 168 yards without an interception. He also ran three times for 36 yards, with his fumble at the goal line recovered for a third-quarter touchdown by center Kristian Matte. "I want to be fighting with these guys. I want to be their quarterback and the quarterback of this team in this city," said Manziel, sporting a big welt on his chin. "I've been sitting out for a long time and waiting for another opportunity. It sucks when you don't see results. It's hard when you don't see results. But at the end of the day when you have faith in the guy to the left or right of you, your brothers on this team, we'll be OK." Ottawa broke a tie with 15 seconds left on William Powell's 10-yard touchdown run. Montreal is 1-7 this season and has won just once in 19 games going back a year. "It sucks to lose the game, and I'm not sitting here saying I'm happy with the outcome of the game . but as far as improvement we're close," he said. "We're a lot closer than we were a week ago and if we continue to make those strides, we'll be OK." The welt on Manziel's chin came on the touchdown play where he fumbled. "Ran into a brick wall," Manziel said. "That defense was fast, that defense was big and aggressive. They hit hard, they're quick. But like I told these guys, you're not going to take me out like that." The Alouettes acquired Manziel from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats three weeks ago. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, played in two exhibition games for Hamilton, but couldn't get on the field behind starter Jeremiah Masoli in the regular season. Montreal's 50-11 home loss to Hamilton last week was his first regular-season action since December 2015 with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. "I thought he came in and threw the ball well, made some really good decisions," Alouettes coach Mike Sherman said. "I thought he did a good job and he'd just be better and better." Trevor Harris was 44 of 54 for 487 yards and a touchdown for the East-leading Redblacks (5-3). He threw a second-quarter interception that Chris Ackie returned for a touchdown. Powell had 17 carries for 104 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards.<doc-sep>AP For those wishing we would ignore Johnny Manziel, well, you’ll have to wait at least another week. Manziel made his second start in the Canadian Football League with nowhere to go but up after a four-interception game in his Montreal Alouettes debut. The former Heisman Trophy winner completed 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 36 yards on three carries, with one of those resulting in a touchdown after he fumbled into the end zone and a teammate recovered. Still, the Alouettes lost to Ottawa 24-17, getting outgained 601 yards to 271. Ottawa scored with 15 seconds remaining after the Alouettes punted with 2:42 left. Manziel was “humbled” by his former team a week ago, finishing 11-for-20 for 104 yards, with no touchdowns and four interceptions, plus two rushes for 4 yards, in a 47-3 loss to Hamilton.<doc-sep>
After a dismal Canadian Football League (CFL) debut a week ago in which he threw four interceptions, Johnny Manziel received another shot on Saturday. After recently being traded from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to the Montreal Alouettes, the former Texas A&M standout saw his first-ever regular season action north of the border last Friday against his former team. Things did not go well as Montreal fell to Hamilton, 50-11, with Manziel recording the aformentioned four picks. The one-time Heisman Trophy winner did not have a touchdown pass in the contest. Eight days later, Manziel had his second start for the Alouettes on Saturday night as Montreal looked to improve on a league-worst record. Though Montreal still took the loss, falling 24-17 to the first-place Ottawa Redblacks on a last-minute touchdowns, Manziel looked much improved. He still has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but he did not have any turnovers this time either. The first-ever freshman Heisman Trophy winner and former Cleveland Browns first-round selection from 2014 finished the game 16-26 passing for 168 yards. He also showed off his scrambling ability, running for 36 yards on three carries. However, Montreal's defense did not have an answer for Trevor Harris on the other side of the ball. The Ottawa quarterback finished one completion shy of a CFL record with 44 to go along with 487 yards. Still, it was not until a William Powell touchdown run with 15 seconds left in the game that the Redblack were able to secure the victory. Montreal, under first year head coach Mike Sherman, is now 1-7 on the season. With not much on the line, it is likely Manziel will receive plenty more opportunities under his former college coach. The Alouettes play next on Sat., Aug. 18 vs. the Edmonton Eskimos. The game will air nationally across the United State on ESPN2.