Despite losing quarterbacks number one and two in the span of a week, the Ottawa REDBLACKS aren’t taking their foot off the gas.
The ROUGE et NOIR are looking for a gutsy effort to earn their second win of the season, Saturday afternoon, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visiting TD Place for a 4:00pm kickoff.
After Jeremiah Masoli went down for the season in heartbreaking fashion, a week ago, it’s Dustin Crum making his first CFL start for the REDBLACKS. The 24-year-old came on in relief of Masoli vs the Ti-Cats, rushing for a touchdown, and throwing for 149 yards, as Ottawa came up two yards short of a potential tying score.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ty Cranston nabbed an interception, and Brandin Dandridge scooped a fumble, with Cleyon Laing, and Lorenzo Mauldin sacking the quarterback.
Ottawa makes another change in the backfield, with Devonte Williams slotting back in to start at running back. The defence will also see a few changes; as Adam Auclair starts at middle linebacker, Deandre Lamont comes in at corner, and Alonzo Addae slots into the safety spot.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Winners of two of the last three Grey Cup’s, and participants in all of them, Winnipeg has won two straight, since falling to the BC Lions. The Bombers are coming off of a 24-11 victory over the Calgary Stampeders; a game in which Zach Collaros threw for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Greg McCrae, and Rasheed Bailey, respectively.
Demerio Houston recorded an interception, an Jamarion Grant racked up 86 yards in the return game.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Dustin Crum, quarterback, on what he has to do to earn his first CFL win: “I’ve always had the perspective more football games are lost than won. So, we just have to take care of ourselves and play the cleanest football game we can. As a quarterback, I have to let my guys make plays — get the ball in their hands and let them do their thing.”
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on making the best of a difficult situation: “Dustin did a fantastic job throughout training camp, and now he’s got an opportunity to play in front of our fans and show exactly what kind of a quarterback he is. You never want to lose two quarterbacks. But that’s what the football gods gave us.”
Barron Miles, Defensive Coordinator, on refining what’s been a quality defensive start to the season: “We’ve just got to be consistent in crucial times. When it’s crunch time, that’s when we’re supposed to make stops, not drag it on a series or two. We’ve just got to make the stops right away.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
4:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN3 / RDS (French) / CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
