Looking to get back in the win column, Sunday night, the Ottawa REDBLACKS make just their second Western road trip of the season, taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders to close out Week 9.
Ottawa saw their two-game win streak come to an end, last Friday, dropping a 16-12 decision to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at home. Dustin Crum threw for 158 yards, also rushing for 82, while Lewis Ward kicked four field goals. It was a stellar outing for the REDBLACKS defence; with Frankie Griffin, Alonzo Addae, Abdul Kanneh, Douglas Coleman, and Brandin Dandridge each notching interceptions.
While Ottawa gains some reinforcements on offence, in the return of National receiver Tevaun Smith, the dynamic Dandridge will miss Sunday’s contest due to a lower body injury. Joshua Valentine-Turner will fill in for the defensive playmaker, making his first CFL start at cornerback. In better news for the defensive backfield, however, Justin Howell is back in the lineup at safety, after missing three games with a hamstring injury.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Riders find themselves in a position similar to the REDBLACKS — and much of the CFL at this point — with their starting quarterback out of the lineup. Trevor Harris is done for the season, and Mason Fine has stepped in for Saskatchewan, looking for his first win of the season, vs Ottawa.
The league-leading Toronto Argonauts got the better of the Riders, a week ago, dealing them a 31-13 defeat in CFL Touchdown Atlantic. Fine completed 27 of 39 passes for 302 yards, also lobbing a pair of interceptions. Nick Marshall came up with a pick on defence, and Pete Robertson added to a sack total among the league’s best.
On the season, Saskatchewan is third in the East Division, with a record of 3-4.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Dustin Crum, quarterback, on bouncing back after a tough loss: “Any time you lose, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Having a couple of extra days off to think about it before being able to get out on the practice field again, it drove me a bit crazy on the weekend. You take the good and the bad, and try to learn from it and improve so we can have a good game this weekend.”
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, evaluating his rookie pivot: “He’s had some success early, but he’s only played a few games. His path to being a top-level or elite starter in this league will take some time. He’ll develop as he goes. Right now, when he makes the decision to run, he just runs. He has to make sure he keeps his eyes up; things may open up. Teams have to adapt because he’s such a good runner. When he does step up, maybe there’s something he can do to put the ball over the top. He’s going to continue to learn, trust in his reads and I’m super excited to watch him develop.”
Jacob Ruby, offensive lineman, on the REDBLACKS Wanting to continue their recent winning ways: “You get that taste of winning in your mouth after celebrating in the locker room. You see those successful plays on film, and that becomes addictive. We want to taste that again this week.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN3 / RDS (French) / CBS SN / CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
