Following a second straight win, and third straight home, the Ottawa REDBLACKS are looking to roll into their second bye week on a high note, Friday night.
The Calgary Stampeders make their way to town for the first of two meetings between these teams, with the REDBLACKS hoping to continue their dominance at TD Place. It’s a 7:30pm kickoff, and tickets are still available, so get yours now!
In a reversal from their meeting five days prior, defence was the story a week ago, with the REDBLACKS grinding out a 20-14 home win over the Edmonton Elks. A Ryquell Armstead touchdown, and series of Lewis Ward field goals provided the offence, but a late interception by Deandre Lamont was one of the clinching factors, as Edmonton attempted to rally. Lamont led the way with a team-high nine tackles, with Lorenzo Mauldin, and Bryce Carter each sacking the quarterback.
While the injury list remains long for Ottawa, they gain some reinforcements tonight. Kene Onyeka makes his season debut, and Jeremiah Masoli returns to the lineup for the first time in over a year, as the third quarterback.
Making his first career start in the defensive backfield is Bennett Williams, who fills in for Tobias Harris – placed on the six-game injured list following last week’s game – at field halfback. Adrian Frye will back him up, in his CFL debut.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Though they’ve yet to win on the road, this season, Calgary has gone toe-to-toe with some of the league’s top teams, and come out on top. The Stamps edged the BC Lions 25-24 last week, in a near-flawless performance by Jake Maier, who threw for 307 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Jalen Philpott, Clark Barnes, and Reggie Begelton found the endzone, while on defence, former REDBLACK Micah Awe’s six tackles led the team, alongside picks by Kobe Williams, and Tyler Richardson.
While Nick Statz hits the six-game injured list, standouts in Tre Roberson, and Julian Howsare return on defence.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on the team’s mentality at home: “Every time a team sets foot on our field, we want to show them that this is our home and that we want to dominate at home. That’s the mindset that we approach games with, and the players have done a fantastic job so far.”
Jaelon Acklin, receiver, on the REDBLACKS still being underdogs despite their recent success: « We don’t really pay attention to that because anyone can say whatever. The only truth in the world is what people’s actions are. So they can rank us ninth, but by Week 18 it doesn’t matter what people are saying. It’s about the points you accumulate throughout the season and the wins and losses. So people can say whatever. Sports books can make whatever (line). At the end of the day, it’s who’s better from 7:30 to 10 p.m. (Friday). It’s who’s going to win.”
Jovan Santos-Knox, linebacker, on the team’s early success at TD Place: “The fans deserve it more than anything. They’ve been sticking with us through tough times over the past few years, so I’m very happy for the fans, this is what they deserve. I’ve always said that when Ottawa is winning, Lansdowne is one of the coolest venues in the world. They’re our 13th man out there.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:30 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN2 / TSN5 | CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
