When the Ottawa REDBLACKS do battle with the Edmonton Elks under the lights at TD Place, Friday night, there will be a lot of youth at the quarterback position, for both teams.
26-year-old Tyrie Adams will make his first career CFL start for Ottawa, who returns from an early bye week looking for their first win of the 2023 season. His counterpart, for Edmonton, will be 25-year-old Jarrett Doege; also making his first start, after a brief debut against the Toronto Argonauts, last week.
With Jeremiah Masoli not quite ready to return to the REDBLACKS lineup, Adams will look to notch his first win as a CFL pivot. The St. Petersburg, Florida native completed nine of 16 passes against the Calgary Stampeders, in Week 2, for 129 yards, also making plays with his legs on four carries.
Also making his first start north of the border is American receiver C.J. Lewis. On defence, Damon Webb will slot in at halfback, in place of the injured Cariel Brooks.
After he recorded a 79-yard punt return touchdown against the Stamps, Brandin Dandridge takes over return duties for the REDBLACKS, as Head Coach Bob Dyce confirmed on Monday that star return man DeVonte Dedmon would require season-ending shoulder surgery.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Elks, 0-3, make the trip to Ottawa on a short week. They were last in action on Sunday, dropping a 43-31 result to the Toronto Argonauts, on home field. Edmonton used three different quarterbacks in the contest, and it was Doege finishing the game, going nine-for-11 with 163 yards, and a pair of touchdowns, in the game’s final minutes.
Edmonton will be dealt a major blow on offence, however, with star receiver Eugene Lewis ruled out, due to a knee injury.
The REDBLACKS will again have to take care in the kicker game. Emerging Elks returner CJ Sims looked particularly dangerous against the Boatmen, racking up a net 285 return yards.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Tyrie Adams, quarterback, on what he learned from his appearance against Calgary: “To trust myself more, trust my teammates more. I think that was the biggest thing. Just making sure I go out there with the utmost confidence; in myself, the play-calling, and the guys around me.”
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on what Adams’ skillset brings to the table: “There are certain things that will help our run game. When you run RPO (run/pass option) and zones and things like that, defensive ends can crash and maybe not respect the quarterback going out to the flats, running with the ball or throwing the ball off that look. He has the ability to extend plays with his legs and when he makes a quick decision to put the ball vertical, he can really get it out there.”
Khari Jones, Offensive Coordinator, on the need for a more balanced offensive attack against Edmonton: “We didn’t run the ball as much as maybe we should have (against Calgary). Our run/pass options turned into passes almost all the time. We have to find ways to move the ball on the ground. It’s something I’ve done most of my careers as a co-ordinator. It’s in my DNA, so when I don’t run it, I don’t feel good. We’ll get back to that balanced attack.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:30 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN3 / TSN5 / RDS (French) / CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
