The Ottawa REDBLACKS will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night in the first of two pivotal meetings between the clubs in the span of 14 days.
Following last week’s disappointing 29-9 loss in Winnipeg, Rick Campbell’s REDBLACKS (5-8-1) are in an awkward spot: Within touching distance of first-place Toronto, they’re also not completely out of the woods with third-place Hamilton charging hard.
The main question this week was whether quarterback Ryan Lindley would make his second-straight start under centre following a 16-for-36 performance in Week 14.
The answer is yes: Lindley will make his second-career CFL start, with Drew Tate — banged up in Montreal and on clipboard duty against Winnipeg — backing up. Trevor Harris remains six-gamed with a shoulder injury.
The big news out of Riders camp this week — the signing of former Indianapolis Colt Trent Richardson — will have no bearing on Friday’s contest, as Richardson will not dress in the nation’s capital.
STORYLINES
Lindley Take The Wheel 2.0 — So, Ryan Lindley’s first CFL start didn’t go quite according to plan; the rain was pouring, the Bombers defence was on point, so goes life as a pro quarterback. The REDBLACKS will need him to bounce back in his first start at TD Place against a Saskatchewan defence that’s forced 24 turnovers (CFL: 3rd) this season.
The Wi-Po Show— Somewhat lost in last week’s nine-point offensive effort was running back William Powell’s second-straight 100-yard game. The 29 year-old is finally healthy and, as we’ve seen the last two weeks, can wreak havoc on any defence in this league with sufficient blocking. Ottawa will need to keep its offence diverse — read: Powell to have another 100-yard day — to move the chains consistently against the Riders.
Riders QB Situation — With veteran Kevin Glenn pulled in the fourth quarter against Calgary last week, Canadian backup Brandon Bridge led Sask. on its best offensive drive of the day. While HC Chris Jones has named Glenn his starter this week, you’ve got to wonder if Bridge’s 6-for-7, 91-yard performance against the Stamps may have planted a thought in his head.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Saskatchewan has a very deep receiving core that, when Glenn is protected, sees a ton of the ball. Naaman Roosevelt — injured badly against Calgary last week — Bakari Grant and Duron Carter all have 50-plus catches, while three others (Rob Bagg, Cam Marshall and Caleb Holley) have 25-plus.
The Riders are as per usual led by a veteran QB, having replaced long-time pivot Darian Durant with Kevin Glenn this offseason, but Mississauga-native Brandon Bridge has made a decent case to get more snaps as QB-2.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Henoc Muamba has been a top-10 tackler this season: his 68 all-purpose tackles rank him sixth in the CFL.
Defensive back Ed Gainey is having a historic season with a career-high eight interceptions — all of which have come in his last six games.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Every game from here on out is going to be huge for us and for the teams were playing. Saskatchewan, BC, Saskatchewan: we’re all directly competing for playoff spots, so every game’s going to be big. We’re going to field whatever our best possible team is each week — won’t be any different on Friday night.” — HC Rick Campbell
“Still kind of feeling them out; body language with guys on their routes that I’m not too sure about, but we’ll get it together and be ready to go Friday. I’m excited to get back out there and let ‘er rip — football’s a fluid game, you can never put something on paper and say ‘run it like this, throw it like this’, there’s always 12 guys trying to stop you.” – QB Ryan Lindley
GAME INFO
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Ottawa REDBLACKS | Week 15 — September 29, 2017
Kickoff — 7 p.m. ET | TD Place
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)
