The REDBLACKS will look to continue their fine preseason form when they take on the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. Rick Campbell’s squad is hoping to build off of a positive showing against the Montreal Alouettes at TD Place last week, in which Ottawa beat their division rivals 27-7.
The game will take place at the University of Guelph’s Alumni Stadium due to a scheduling conflict at BMO Field.
The REDBLACKS (8-9-1 in 2017) and Argos (9-9) faced off twice last season and both were tightly contested games. Toronto won 26-25 in week three, and then won 27-24 two weeks later. The second matchup was Ottawa’s second game in only five days and they ultimately succumbed to a walk-off field goal despite a valiant effort.
STORYLINES
Vets to rest – Campbell announced earlier in the week that Trevor Harris will not be dressing for the game. In addition to Harris, Diontae Spencer, William Powell, Greg Ellingson, Antoine Pruneau and Kyries Hebert will all not be making the trip to Guelph.
Rookies like Mark Korte, Ed Ilnicki, and R.J. Shelton will get major minutes in Guelph, as HC Rick Campbell looks to evaluate newer guys against real CFL competition.
Argos No. 2 QB Competition – When James Franklin signed with the Argonauts in the offseason, he was penciled in as Ricky Ray’s backup. However, McLeod Bethel-Thompson has been turning heads at Argos camp, and Mark Trestman has a tough decision on his hands.
Kicking battle – One of the fiercest position battles in REDBLACKS camp has been at the kicker and punter positions. Internationals Richie Leone and Sergio Castillo both have plenty of CFL experience, but rookie Canadian kicker Lewis Ward impressed by going 4-for-4 on field goal attempts against Montreal.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The defending Grey Cup champions had a relatively quiet offseason. The Argonauts will benefit from the services of returning stars such as James Wilder Jr., Martese Jackson and S.J. Green.
Ricky Ray is back in double blue, this time with a former rival on his side. Anthony Calvillo was added as the team’s quarterbacks coach, and the Ray-Calvillo-Trestman partnership will be one that all CFL fans will be keeping an eye on.
Defensively, Toronto can once again rely on a solid front seven that includes reigning Eastern All-Stars Cleyon Laing, Dylan Wynn and Marcus Ball, as well as the always dependable Bear Woods and Shawn Lemon.
A notable addition to the Argos depth chart is kicker/punter Ronnie Pfeffer. The Kitchener, Ont. native was a member of the REDBLACKS in 2015 and beat out Swayze Waters for the starting job in Toronto.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We’ve left some of the older guys behind and we’re going to give these new guys a ton of reps. We want to see them play a lot in a game and see how they go. They deserve it and the REDBLACKS deserve it because we want to make sure we don’t miss out on anybody that can help us this year.” – HC Rick Campbell
GAME INFO
Toronto Argonauts vs. Ottawa REDBLACKS | Preseason Week 3 – June 7, 2018
Kickoff – 7:30 p.m. ET | Alumni Stadium (University of Guelph)
BROADCAST INFO
Radio: TSN 1200 | TSN1200.ca
