The Ottawa REDBLACKS are back at home tonight, hosting the Montreal Alouettes in a home opener edition of Friday Night Football. It’s a 7:30pm kickoff from TD Place, on a night full of festivities, including a CF-18 flyover prior to kickoff, and special food and beverage deals around the stadium.
After a narrow road loss in Saskatchewan to open the season, there’s unfinished business in the capital, as the REDBLACKS return home focused on securing their first win of the season in a matchup against their divisional rivals. With last season’s dominant 7-1-1 home record as proof of what’s possible, Ottawa is aiming to make a statement, and they’ll need the energy of RNation to get it done.
Fans will get their first live look at some of the REDBLACKS’ biggest offseason acquisitions, with three-time All-CFL receiver Geno Lewis and powerhouse running back William Stanback are set to debut in red and black. Stanback is closing in on 5,000 career rushing yards, while Lewis will hit a milestone 100 CFL games played, and looks to tie a league record with his tenth straight game scoring a touchdown.
Injury news heading into Friday’s game sees starting quarterback Dru Brown sidelined after a Week 1 injury, along with defensive back Alonzo Addae, who suffered a season-ending setback. It’s “next man up”, however, and veteran QB Matt Shiltz will lead the offence, with Charlie Ringland set to make his first CFL start at safety.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Als opened their 2025 campaign with a convincing 28–10 win over the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts, showcasing their ability to strike on both sides of the ball.
Receiver Tyson Philpot got things started late in the first quarter, reeling in a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Davis Alexander to cap a seven-play, 69-yard drive. Alexander finished the night an efficient 19-of-26 for 205 yards and 1 touchdown (to Philpot), while also adding 50 rushing yards.
Just before halftime, Montreal’s defence made a major statement when defensive back Shawn Oakman forced a fumble on Toronto QB Nick Arbuckle. Isaac Adeyemi–Berglund scooped it up and took it 17 yards to the end zone.
In the third quarter, momentum swung further Montreal’s way when James Letcher Jr. broke off a 67-yard kickoff return, setting up quarterback Caleb Evans for a short-yardage sneak from the one-yard line.
With playmakers contributing across offence, defence, and special teams, the Alouettes pose an early-season test for the REDBLACKS, in a key divisional matchup.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
BOB DYCE, HEAD COACH, ON HIS EXPECTATIONS FOR SHILTZ: “I talked to Matt and just asked him to be Matt. We’ve got a lot of talent around him, and I asked him to be kind of like a point guard… just put the ball in people’s hands. I know Coach Condell is going to put Matt in a situation to be successful, and he’s just got to be him, use the skills that God gave him, and play consistently.”
MATT SHILTZ, QUARTERBACK, ON HIS FIRST START AS A REDBLACK: “It’s a great opportunity, obviously. It’s tough seeing Dru go down when you see how much work he puts in and know how much work he puts in during the offseason. But, like any other position in sports, it’s a ‘next man up’ mentality, and we really have that team environment, not only in the whole locker room, but especially in the quarterback room.”
GENO LEWIS, WIDE RECEIVER, ON HIS FAMILIARITY WITH SHILTZ: “I think they’re a great complement together. I played with Shiltz in Montreal for a few games. He’s probably one of the only quarterbacks I’ve had multiple touchdowns with in one game … two bombs against Toronto. I know what he’s capable of. He’s going to play ball. He’s going to give us a chance, an opportunity to help him and help our team.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH: TSN 1/5 | RDS (FR)
STREAM: CBSSN
LISTEN: TSN 1200, 104,7 FM Outaouais (FR), SiriusXM (ch.167)
