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September 8, 2017

REDBLACKS Host Hamilton in Early Fall Four-Pointer

Photo | Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/Ottawa REDBLACKS

Carlos Verde | @Carlos77Verde

The Ottawa REDBLACKS will have a chance to grow their lead atop the CFL’s East Division on Saturday evening, when they will entertain the re-energized Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a critical divisional matchup at TD Place.

With second-place Toronto not in action and third-place Montreal facing a tricky test in Vancouver, the REDBLACKS (4-6-1) could move three points clear of all eastern competitors with a win on home turf against the Ticats (1-8).

Ellingson runs away from Tiger-Cats defender.

Rick Campbell’s Ottawa squad enters its Week-12 matchup off the back of a strong showing in a 32-4 win over Montreal; Trevor Harris sliced and diced the Als secondary en route to a 343-yard, three-TD final line, while the REDBLACKS defence limited Montreal to just 277 total yards.

Saturday’s contest is the third in a critical four-game stretch circled at the outset of the season by Ottawa’s coaching staff.

STORYLINES

Harris Setting the Pace — REDBLACKS quarterback Trevor Harris is enjoying a career year, currently leading all CFL quarterbacks with 3,531 passing yards. If the 31 year-old maintains his pace and stays on the field, he will shatter his previous career-high mark of 4,354 (TOR, 2015) by more than 1,000 yards.

A Sharp Hair-Madu — With William Powell still on the shelf, Mossis Madu Jr. will make his third-straight start; the Oklahoma product followed up his two-touchdown performance in Week 10 with over 100 all-purpose yards last week at Montreal.

New-look Tabbies — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were a different team in their 24-22 win over Toronto on Monday than in their previous eight losses. Jeremiah Masoli gives them a fresh option under centre, while mid-season coaching replacement June Jones has given them a much-needed shot to the arm.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been in must-win mode for over a month; June Jones and company visit the nation’s capital this week fresh from their first win of the season on Labour Day Monday.

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli’s competent effort in that win likely cemented his starting job going forward.

The Ticats sit last or second-last in nearly all major offensive and defensive stat categories, but came out of their Week-11 bye with a new coach and renewed spirit.

Hamilton’s defence is led by a strong front seven featuring notorious trash-talker Simoni Lawrence, Larry Dean, and the D-end duo of Adrian Tracy and former REDBLACK Justin Capicciotti.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Masoli is a guy that can make plays off-script. If the play breaks down, he’s a guy that can improvise. He can use his feet, throw off-balance. We need to do a good job of making sure we keep him in the pocket.” — HC Rick Campbell


“They rush, they get to the quarterback, with those D-ends. With Tracy, he’s real good, so we have to make sure we take care of the front four. It’s all about a rhythm, being in a rhythm, being confident, and going down and making plays. It happened last year. What we get paid to do is make plays.” — RB Mossis Madu Jr.


“You know that any given day a team can come in and win — we’re hoping they’re a little tired, because they just played, (and) we’re going to come here fresh, try to control the pace, and get a win. Guys (on the O-line) are starting to gel on the right and left side — we want to continue building on that, start controlling games, and let Trevor do what he does.” — OL SirVincent Rogers

GAME INFO

Ottawa REDBLACKS vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Week 12 — September 9, 2017
Kickoff — 7:30 p.m. ET | TD Place (Ottawa)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV (EN): TSN | TSN GO | TSN.ca/LIVE
TV (FR): RDS
TV (INT’L): ESPN 3 | BT (UK and Ireland)
Radio (EN): TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
Radio (FR): FM 104,7 Outaouais | FM1047.ca
Radio (Satellite): Sirius XM Canada Channel 167 (EN) and 174 (FR)