Following a storybook win in last week’s road matchup against the Calgary Stampeders the Ottawa REDBLACKS will see the return of their starting quarterback tonight, on a night celebrating the proud history of REDBLACKS football.
It’s All-Decade Night at TD Place, as the REDBLACKS – 4-0-1 in their last five – host the BC Lions, who are hungry to break a recent losing streak. Toe hits leather at 7:00pm, in a game dedicated to honouring the members of Ottawa’s All-Decade team.
Jeremiah Masoli put together a game-winning drive, last week, as Lewis Ward made good on a last-second field goal to deliver a 31-29 REDBLACKS win. The returning Masoli’s final stat line was 27 for 35, with 254 yards, and a touchdown pass to DeVonte Dedmon. Ryquell Armstead paced the Ottawa offence with 120 rushing yards on 11 carries, including an incredible 25-yard touchdown scamper. Jaelon Acklin led the team 94 receiving yards, and Dustin Crum also punched in a short-yardage major.
The defence made plays when called upon, as always. Lorenzo Mauldin forced a Calgary fumble on the first play from scrimmage, recovered by Frankie Griffin, and five of Damon Webb’s team-high seven tackles caused a Calgary loss. Mike Wakefield came up with a critical sack late in the game.
Ottawa will be without star pass rusher Bryce Carter, added to the one-game injured list with a shoulder injury. Kene Onyeka starts in his place. On the other side of the ball, Darisuz Bladek is listed as a game-time decision.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
It’s only one game, but the return of star Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke did not bear immediate fruit for the Lions, who suffered a 20-11 defeat to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home on Sunday.
Rourke went a woeful eight for twenty-five for the air for 126 yards, and a pair of picks. A bright spot for the Lions offence was William Stanback, who racked up 100 yards on 15 carries.
On defence, BC held their own, thanks in large part to a pair of sacks by Sione Teuhema, and a T.J Lee interception.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on the team staying focused on the task at hand: “Whether we win or lose, our focus is 100% on the next game. We enjoy it when we win, when we lose we learn from it and go forward. We know the most important things are ahead of us, not behind us.”
Dru Brown, quarterback, on the progress he has made this season: “I’m growing. I have really good guidance, I have special players around me and I’m constantly learning. I’m by no means a finished product, nowhere close. I don’t feel like people need to adapt to what I do. I want to be able to adapt to what people are good at. I’m obsessed with the incline I try to chase every day.”
Adarius Pickett, defensive back, on respecting the always-dangerous Lions: “You just play your game. You can see teams with losing records beat teams with winning records. You prepare each week and play your brand of football. You take it one week at a time. When that week is done, you go into the next week. This is the most important game because it’s the next one. Then, you see where you wind up at the end of the season.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN 4 / RDS2 | CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
