Preseason football is back in the nation’s capital, as the Ottawa REDBLACKS make their return to TD Place for a preseason tilt with their rival Montreal Alouettes under the Friday night lights. It’s a 7:00pm ET kickoff at Lansdowne, in Ottawa’s final tune-up before the 2025 regular season.
The REDBLACKS were dominant at home, last season, posting a franchise-best 7-1-1 record at TD Place.
Ottawa dressed most of their projected starters during last week’s 23-7 win in Montreal, leading them to rest the majority of them for tonight’s game. Matt Shiltz gets the start under centre, after completing eight passes for 72 yards a week ago. Dustin Crum threw a touchdown to Sam Schnee, and Jaylen Samuels scampered in for a 23-yard score on the ground, and all are expected to see action tonight. Among the starters on the offensive line is a mix of youth and experience; with 2025 second-round draft pick Sam Carson starting at centre, accompanied by the veteran Jacob Ruby on his right.
On defence, Bennett Williams and Frankie Griffin are in the lineup after each recording a sack last week, while University of Ottawa product James Peter starts at middle linebacker. The REDBLACKS defensive line will see a trio of Canadian starters; with Aidan John, rookie Muftah Ageli, and sophomore Daniel Okpoko starting alongside Ronheen Bingham. C.J. Coldon and Gavin Heslop again start at corner, while Canadian Charlie Ringland slots in at safety.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ottawa will see some familiar faces in the Montreal lineup; in former REDBLACKS quarterback Caleb Evans taking snaps from Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, and throwing to receiver Daniel Oladejo.
Like the REDBLACKS, the Alouettes will dress a heavy dose of faces fresh to the CFL, as the two teams rest players ahead of the beginning of the regular season.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on the final opportunity for players to make the roster: “We bring in 85 guys, plus the non-counters, and on Day 1, I tell them whether they make our roster or not in the preseason, they need to perform so somebody else may see them and give them an opportunity. I’d love to see all these guys play in the league, whether it’s with us or somebody else. That’s our goal as coaches: prepare them, make these guys better players, so that they continue to to have opportunities.”
Matt Shiltz, quarterback, on his goals for Friday’s preseason finale: “The biggest thing, especially in these games, is getting in and out of the huddle, making sure everyone’s on the same page, getting into a little bit of a rhythm, and get the guys focused on their alignment and their assignment, focused on those little detail things. The offence can be a little bit complex for some rookies sometimes. So just make sure we get everybody on the same page and finish every drive with a kick.”
James Peter, middle linebacker, on adjusting to William Fields’ defensive scheme: “It’s a whole different scheme of football that we have compared to the last two years, but it’s more adaptable for us to play fast, physical football. We have guys able to fly to the ball a lot more, just based on how the scheme is run. On top of that, guys don’t have to think as much, just play freely and play the football that they’ve been God-gifted with. In terms of our defensive scheme and everything like that, it’s all super simple for us.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH: 7:00 PM ET | TV (ENG): TSN4 | RDS (FR)
STREAM: Free on CFL+
LISTEN: TSN 1200 | 104,7 FM Outaouais (FR) | SiriusXM (ch.167)
