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REDBLACKS look to sweep season series against Stampeders on Thursday at TD Place

The REDBLACKS will hit the field on Thursday night looking for a push from RNation as they look to get back into the win column against the Calgary Stampeders.

Thursday’s Week 7 action is a rematch of Week 1, in which the REDBLACKS defeated the defending Grey Cup champions 32-28 in a huge opening night win, the club’s first-ever win at McMahon Stadium.

Now sitting at 2-3, the REDBLACKS intend on shaking off a tough outing in Winnipeg last weekend in front of a loud home crowd at TD Place.

With Ottawa’s depth being tested by an unfortunate run of injuries, the REDBLACKS will one again be led into Thursday’s game by quarterback Jonathon Jennings. The “next man up” mentality has given opportunities to players like Noel Thomas Jr., newcomer Jerod Fernandez, DeAndre Farris and Jennings.  Jennings got the nod as starter against Winnipeg, but like pretty much the whole team, it was tough for them to get things going.

Bright spots in last week’s game were certainly running back John Crockett in his first start for Ottawa with 15 carries against Winnipeg, running the football for 88 yards and averaging 5.9 yards per carry.  Crockett has had 150 rushing yards on 23 carries so far this season and seems set on being a danger to the opposition every time he’s handed the ball. Also turning heads is DeVonte Dedmon, who returned seven punts for a total of 74 yards and five kickoffs for a total of 117 yards.

 

STORYLINES

  • Both teams come into Thursday’s game with different starting quarterbacks after Dominique Davis and Bo Levi Mitchell battled it out on opening night. This time around, it is Jennings and Nick Arbuckle who will lead their respective teams under centre. After coming in later in the game against BC, which the Stampeders won, Arbuckle has had a record of 2-1 as Calgary’s starter this season.
  • Former Stampeders suiting up for the REDBLACKS include Brad Sinopoli and Mike Klassen. Sinopoli spent the first four seasons of his CFL career with the Stamps, while Klassen played in Calgary in 2017 before joining Ottawa last year.
  • Avery Williams has been a tackling machine for the REDBLACKS so far this season, with a total of 31 tackles on defense, good enough for fourth best in the CFL. Williams has also forced a fumble so far in what is his sophomore CFL season and what is also looking like a breakout season.
  • Jennings needs 14 completions to hit 1,000 for his CFL career.
  • Lewis Ward has hit 13 of 13 field goals so far this season and his record-setting run of completed kicks dating back to last season has reached 61.

 

Scouting the opposition

Watch out for that Tre

Leading the CFL in interceptions so far this year is Stampeders DB Tre Robertson, who has five coming into Thursday’s game.  Robertson had a tremendous performance in Week 1 against Ottawa with three picks and has also been able to put two defensive touchdowns on the board for his team this year.  One of the most dynamic players in the CFL, he will definitely be one to watch for the REDBLACKS.

Double trouble

The REDBLACKS’ defence will have to be sharp on Thursday when they face the Stamps, as Calgary counts on one of the more dynamic duos of receivers in the CFL this season in Eric Rogers, who is tied for league lead in receiving touchdowns with four, and Juwan Brescacin, who is tied for second with three.  Together, the two receivers have combined for seven touchdowns and 388 receiving yards.  To be added to the list of aerial threats is also Reggie Begelton, who has a total of 321 receiving yards on 25 receptions, as well as a touchdown.

 

GAME INFO

Ottawa REDBLACKS vs Calgary Stampeders | Week 7 – July 25th, 2019

Kickoff – 7:00 p.m. ET | TD Place Stadium

 

BROADCAST INFO

7 PM ET |TV : EN: TSN 1/3/5 | FR : RDS  | Radio: EN: TSN 1200 | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais