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November 11, 2017

REDBLACKS look to send crossover Riders back west

Playoff football returns to the nation’s capital for a third straight year as the Ottawa REDBLACKS take the field on Sunday afternoon against the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a berth in the East Division final on the line.

The REDBLACKS (8-9-1) and Riders (10-8) played to a pair of one-point games during the regular season; Chris Jones’s Saskatchewan team earned an 18-17 win in the nation’s capital on September 29, with Rick Campbell’s Ottawa club responding two weeks later with a 33-32 victory on the prairies.

The two clubs both played solid football down the stretch after a mutually forgettable first half; Brandon Bridge has breathed new life into the Saskatchewan offence, while the REDBLACKS have been rejuvenated by an on-point Trevor Harris in the air and a resurgent William Powell on the ground.

STORYLINES

Career Years — The REDBLACKS had a number of offensive players record career years in 2017; QB Trevor Harris, REC Greg Ellingson and RB William Powell will all need to be at their sharpest on Sunday to solve a complex Saskatchewan defence led by mastermind head coach Chris Jones.

Saskatchewan QB Situation — The Riders continuously started games down the stretch with Kevin Glenn under centre, and just as continuously replaced him mid-game with mobile Canadian pivot Brandon Bridge. Whichever QB is taking snaps on Sunday will affect the way the REDBLACKS defend; Glenn is a pocket passer, whereas Bridge is a bona fide scrambler.

Playoff Atmosphere — With RNation out in full force and a typically strong contingent of Riderville making the road trip, Sunday’s contest should have one of the best atmospheres of the 2017 CFL season.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

The Riders have serious weapons on either side of the ball.

Athletic receivers like the speedy Naaman Roosevelt and enigmatic Duron Carter give Glenn/Bridge world-class options, while Canadian back Kienan LaFrance allows the Riders to be a smash-mouth running offence when they want to be.

Defensive back Ed Gainey led the CFL with a ridiculous 10 interceptions — including four in one game — during the regular season, and seems to rise to the occasion in big moments.

Any team coached by Chris Jones is going to be tenacious, aggressive on defence and will certainly be ready for battle in a playoff environment.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING


“We’ve only played one football game in a month, so our guys are itching to get on the field. They know Saskatchewan is a talented team, but they’re ready to go. The way you win football games doesn’t change. (Glenn and Bridge) are both very capable guys, that’s why they play them both, (and) each brings a little bit of a different skill set. We’re trying not to get caught up in who’s in for them. We’re really trying to focus on us.” — HC Rick Campbell


“It’s another game. Everybody keeps asking me (about intensity) — it’s a football game, there’s 12 people on defence and 12 people on offence. I don’t think the intensity is any different — if you’re going to try harder in the playoffs, are you going to try hard to begin with? I know the stakes are higher, but I’m going to just go out there and play my game.” — QB Trevor Harris

GAME INFO

Ottawa REDBLACKS vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders | Eastern Semi-Final
November 12, 2017
Kickoff — 1 p.m. ET | TD Place

BROADCAST INFO

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)