Coming off of one of the most incredible comeback wins in franchise history, the Ottawa REDBLACKS are eyeing a measure of payback, when they visit the Calgary Stampeders, Sunday night.
Down 25-9 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with less than three minutes to play at TD Place, a week ago, a Brandin Dandridge pick six kicked off a comeback capped by two Dustin Crum rushing touchdowns, to pull off the stunning upset. Ottawa’s rookie pivot threw for 261 yards, and rushed for 103, in a milestone win.
On defence, the REDBLACKS terrorized Zach Collaros; with Blessman Ta’ala, Lorenzo Mauldin, and Mike Wakefield getting to the quarterback. Adam Auclair forced a huge fumble late in the game, as well, to go with the Dandridge interception.
Despite the positive results, the REDBLACKS haven’t been able to escape the injury bug. Ta’ala, Gary Johnson, and Jackson Bennett all suffered injuries that will keep them out of Sunday’s contest. Mauldin was injured in practice on Thursday, and was listed as a gametime decision by Head Coach Bob Dyce. Fellow Global player Thomas Schaffer makes his first career start, in place of Ta’ala.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
After beating the REDBLACKS 26-15 on June 15, the Stamps lost two straight, before getting back in the win column a week ago. In a wild game that came down to the last second, Calgary edged the Saskatchewan Roughriders on the road, by a final score of 33-31.
Jake Maier threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, also throwing a pick, while the Calgary rushing attack again struggled. Luther Hakunavanhu was the team’s leading receiver, posting 94 yards and a touchdown.
Ottawa will have to account for Calgary’s defence, once again. Mike Rose, Julian Howsare, and James Vaughters each sacked the quarterback twice, and Cameron Judge added another, while Micah Awe and Titus Wall tallied ten tackles apiece in the win over the Riders.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Dustin Crum, quarterback, on how to build on last week’s win: “Looking back and watching it on film, what excites me most is what this offence can be. It was a lot of fun, but we’re turning the page and focusing on this week. I’m looking forward to the next opportunity.”
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on how to maintain focus: “When you have a challenging loss or a stunning victory, you have to put it in your past because if that’s what you’re focused on, it’s not going to be good. With our losses or wins, we try and learn from them and then move forward. I don’t like going backwards.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
7:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN / TSN5 / RDS (French) / CBS SN / CFL+ | Radio: EN: TSN 1200, SiriusXM (ch. 167) | FR: 104,7 FM Outaouais
