After a tough loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Monday, the Ottawa REDBLACKS don’t have to wait long for an opportunity to right that wrong. This time, they get a crack at the Als on home field, when Montreal rolls into TD Place for a 4:00pm EDT kickoff, today.
It was a 20-16 defeat for the REDBLACKS, on Thanksgiving Monday. Kicker Lewis Ward made good on four field goal attempts, while rookie quarterback Caleb Evans threw for 125 yards, and earned another 64 on the ground. In his CFL debut, running back De’Lance Turner ran for 71 yards on 10 attempts.
The REDBLACKS turned in another strong defensive performance. Linebacker Micah Awe led the team with 11 tackles, while second-year defensive lineman Kene Onyeka notched the first two sacks of his CFL career, and positional compatriot Davon Coleman, linebacker Don Unamba also got to the quarterback, while linebackers Dwayne Norman and Nigel Romick also tallied the first sacks of their respective careers. Not to be outdone, defensive back Brandin Dandridge snagged a highlight-reel interception: his third of the season.
Ottawa will again have to contend with some difficult injury luck, however, as Norman, and standout defensive players Praise Martin-Oguike, and CFL leading tackler linebacker Avery Williams will miss the game due to injury. Dino Boyd will also make his CFL debut at left tackle, in place of the injured Jamar McGloster.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
In their matchup with the REDBLACKS, the Alouettes were dealt some poor injury luck of their own. Late in the game, quarterback Vernon Adams took a hard hit, and left the contest with a shoulder injury. With their starter sidelined for an extended period of time, Matt Shiltz will be under centre for Montreal, with 1267 CFL passing yards to his name over four seasons. He has thrown for 161 yards on 13 attempts this season.
Running back Cameron Artis-Payne led Montreal with 122 rushing yards, on Monday, and receiver BJ Cunningham paced the team through the air, with 50 receiving yards.
On defence, lineman Jamal Davis sacked Evans twice, on top of defensive back Patrick Levels, and Chris Ackie notching their own. Cornerback Najee Murray intercepted the REDBLACKS quarterback.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Caleb Evans, quarterback, on improving week-to-week in his rookie CFL season: “Each practice, each time I get out there, and gain more experience, it becomes slower and easier to look at. I get different reads, now I’m looking more at the whole field than just at one person. I’m looking at the whole picture.”
Bob Wylie, offensive line coach, on the challenges of managing a rotating cast of offensive linemen, due to injury: “It’s an opportunity for us as a group to see how well we can play when we have to change pieces. And it’s an opportunity for me as a coach, to see if I can get it done and get it cohesive within three days.”
Kene Onyeka, defensive lineman, on getting his first career CFL start, after notching his first two sacks: “I don’t think I’ve ever doubted the fact that I can play defence at this level. I think it’s always just been more about getting used to the speed of game, and improving, just on the little things. I feel like it does go to show when I get an opportunity, that it’s possible to make some plays.”
BROADCAST INFO
4:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN/ESPN+ | TV (FR): RDS
Radio: EN: 580 CFRA, Siriu
