Fresh off of a well-earned bye week, the Ottawa REDBLACKS cap off a three-game home stand, Thursday night, when they face off with the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 7:30pm, in a battle of second-place teams.
The 5-2 REDBLACKS look to improve to 5-0 at home, as the Riders (5-3) aim to bounce back on a short week, following an upset loss at home to the Edmonton Elks. Tickets are still available, so get yours now!
Ottawa was hardly tested in their most recent matchup, cruising to a 33-6 win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 8. Dru Brown exceeded 300 passing yards for the third straight game, finishing the night with 325, and a touchdown pass to Jaelon Acklin. Kalil Pimpleton starred once again, pacing the REDBLACKS receiving corps with 80 yards on seven catches, and also running back a Calgary punt 99 yards to the house. Dustin Crum added a late rushing major, on top of a quartet of field goals from Lewis Ward, who was perfect on the evening.
Defensively, the REDBLACKS made it two straight games without surrendering a touchdown, terrorizing the Calgary backfield all night long. Bryce Carter recorded a pair of sacks, while Lorenzo Mauldin and the returning Kene Onyeka also got to the quarterback.
On the injury front, Ottawa gets some reinforcements back in the lineup, with Alijah McGhee making his first start of the season at field corner, after suffering a foot injury during the preseason. Also back in action is star returner DeVonte Dedmon, who will back up running back Ryquell Armstead on offence. Frankie Griffin, and Justin Howell re-enter the lineup, as well, along with left tackle Dino Boyd, and right tackle Zack Pelehos.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Corey Mace’s Roughriders squad has been off to a scorching start, in hot pursuit of the BC Lions for first in the West Division, but were dealt a blow in last week’s 42-31 loss to the then-0-7 Elks.
Still suiting up in place of the injured Trevor Harris, Shea Patterson went 22-for-38, with 306 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, along with 30 rushing yards and a major on the ground. KeeSean Johnson – absent for tonight’s game – led Saskatchewan with 72 receiving yards on six catches, while standout rookie Ajou Ajou caught a touchdown pass, as did Mitchell Picton. Frankie Hickson, who again starts for AJ Ouellette tonight, rushed for 89 yards on 12 carries.
On defence, Ottawa will face a familiar foe, with former REDBLACK Adam Auclair starting for the Riders at Will linebacker, coming off of a game in which he finished tied for the team high with six tackles, and a sack. Defensive back Roland Milligan will be looking to make it back-to-back games with an interception, after picking off Tre Ford in last week’s game.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on facing a young quarterback in Shea Patterson: “Shea is a handful. He runs the ball well, he’s able to throw well. (Riders Offensive Coordinator) Mark Mueller has done a good job incorporating him in that offence and adapting some things to Shea’s skill set. We have to be prepared for a multifaceted attack in what they do.”
Dru Brown, quarterback, on the team’s success through the first half of the season: “I think we’re getting close to being really, really good. I think that we’ve been working our tails off to get there, and that’s in the meeting room and on the field. So I think as long as we continue to work and show up to work and be intentional, then it should continue to stay on the incline.”
Frankie Griffin, linebacker, on keeping the focus sharp: “I feel like we haven’t played our best game. We’re gonna continue to keep building, day by day, practice by practice, game by game. We’re going to continue to build and try and do what we do.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:30 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN5 | CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
