Following a 10-day respite, the Ottawa REDBLACKS return home for a rare Wednesday night contest against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3). It’s a 7:30pm EDT kickoff at TD Place, and there are tons of exciting off-field activities for RNation to enjoy on their Wednesday evening at the stadium.
The REDBLACKS are back in action after a 45-13 loss to the Lions in BC: a game in which quarterback Dominique Davis threw for 325 yards and a touchdown, caught by receiver Ryan Davis. Defensive back Randall Evans led the charge with a team-high six tackles and a forced fumble, while defensive linemen Cleyon Laing and Avery Ellis each logged a quarterback sack. Defensive back Gump Hayes also notched an interception.
Ottawa will also get the aid of some reinforcements, with veteran CFL receiver Kenny Stafford in the starting lineup for his first game with the REDBLACKS. Over the course of seven seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, Montreal Alouettes, and Edmonton Elks, respectively, Stafford has racked up 2,626 receiving yards, to go with 18 touchdowns, and a Grey Cup win with Edmonton in 2015.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Ti-Cats are coming off of a 23-17 home win over the Calgary Stampeders, but are a team that has been plagued by injuries for nearly the entirety of the season. Quarterback David Watford gets the start, with Jeremiah Masoli and Dane Evans both hurt. Hamilton will also be without star receiver Brandon Banks, who finds himself banged up, as well.
Watford has started the past two games, earning a 1-1 record. All told, he has thrown for 227 yards, with a completion percentage of 78.
On the defensive side, the Ti-Cats are bolstered by linebacker Simoni Lawrence, who was named the CFL’s Top Performer of the Week after the win over Calgary; in which he logged eight tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Richie Leone, punter, on what the REDBLACKS need to do to get back in the win column: “Take it one play at a time. I think a lot of our goals are still attainable, especially being in the East, and we’ve only played one Eastern game, so far. So I just think we just need to gain some momentum, and kind of ride that wave.”
Kenny Stafford, receiver, on his first game with the REDBLACKS: “I’m just happy to be here, honestly. Happy to still play football, and to get an opportunity to strap it up and still play the game I love. It’s definitely a blessing.”
Don Unamba, linebacker, on the team’s focus nearing the back half of the season: “We’ve got to get back to our winning ways. Obviously to get back in the playoff picture, we’ve got to start winning games, and we’re starting to have division play now, so that’s doubly important. I don’t think it’s panic mode right now, nobody’s really just talking like that, so we’re in the driver’s seat right now.”
BROADCAST INFO
7:30 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN/ESPN+ | TV (FR): RDS
Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch.167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
