Seeking win #1
Though the REDBLACKS have started the season with a tie and a pair of losses, Ottawa could just as easily be 3-0 through the first three weeks of the CFL season. After tying Calgary in Ottawa’s home opener for the second-straight year, the REDBLACKS lost by four points in Calgary the following week and just a single point against Toronto last weekend.
Says Head Coach Rick Campbell: “I like our spirit, we have fight. There’s a lot of football left to be played. We’ll have to reload. We make a couple of different plays and this is a whole different conversation.”
Skill and trust
It’s become increasingly clear that REBDLACKS quarterback Trevor Harris and receiver Greg Ellingson have developed some great chemistry. While Ellingson is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving, he has gotten off to an impressive start in 2017.
Through three games, Ellingson leads the CFL with 369 yards on 25 catches, while Harris sits second in the CFL in passing yards with 1,095. The connection between the two was on display against Toronto last weekend, with Harris airing out a couple passes that were expertly retrieved by his receiver and countryman.
Familiar faces
Not unusual in a league like the CFL, there will be a few REDBLACKS Grey Cup rings floating around Edmonton when Ottawa visits the Eskimos. Running back Travon Van, who spent last year in Ottawa, has been promoted to the starting spot in Edmonton following a season-end knee injury to John White, while former Ottawa backup quarterback Danny O’Brien also signed with the Eskimos during the off-season.
After getting a look in the NFL following a Grey Cup winning run with Ottawa, defensive back Forrest Hightower also joined the Eskimos but is currently on the six-game injured list and will miss this opportunity to take on his former team. On the sidelines, former REDBLACKS assistant GM Brock Sunderland is now at the helm of the Eskimos becoming their general manager back in April.
