The Ottawa REDBLACKS are looking to see what they can make of these last four weeks.
Under interim head coach Bob Dyce, the REDBLACKS know that their playoff destiny lies out of their control, but aren’t making any changes to their compete level when they visit the Montreal Alouettes on Thanksgiving Monday.
It’s a historic affair for a pair of REDBLACKS fan favourites; as punter Richie Leone, and defensive lineman Nigel Romick are both suiting up in their 100th career CFL games.
Offensively, Ottawa will get a boost; with the return of centre Darius Ciraco, and running back William Powell from injury. The defence is no exception, as defensive back Sherrod Baltimore also returns to the lineup.
When the action gets underway at 1:00 pm ET, Ottawa will put toe to leather for the first time since September 30, when they fell 34-19 to the Lions in BC. Nick Arbuckle threw for 363 yards, and a touchdown to Tevaun Smith — his first with the REDBLACKS — while Lorenzo Mauldin IV notched a pair of sacks, setting a new REDBLACKS single-season high.
Montreal are sure to be a well-rested group, having not last played September 23. At home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, quarterback Trevor Harris racked up 244 yards through the air, along with a pair of touchdowns to Geno Lewis, as the Al’s earned 23-16 victory.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Jaelon Acklin, receiver, on the team’s mentality, going into the last four weeks: “We’re just trying to get back to the basics. We can’t really control our own destiny right now, so we‘re looking at it like we’ve got nothing really to lose. We’re just trying to be as competitive as possible, and be the best we can be these last four weeks.”
Darvin Adams, receiver, on what the offence needs to do to win: “We should score more points. We should move the ball more. We should be more of an exciting offence. That’s what we work toward every week. Sometimes it doesn’t work out the way we want it to work out. Right now, we’re focused on being better. The mindset is focus on Monday; the guys all understand that. One game at a time and let’s see where that goes.”
Bob Dyce, interim head coach, on the team’s approach to practice, this past week: “I told the guys to come into practice with great energy and enthusiasm, so when they’re on the field, they’re playing fast and playing hard. Then we go inside, and if there are errors, we correct them, and if there are positive things, we’ll build on those.”
BROADCAST INFO
1:00 PM ET |TV (ENG): TSN / TSN3 / TSN4/ TSN5 / RDS 2 (FR) / ESPN2 (USA) / BT Sports (UK and Ireland)
Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
