The Ottawa REDBLACKS are back on the road and back in Alberta, set to face the Edmonton Elks for the first time this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) at Commonwealth Stadium.
Following a hard-fought home loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week, the REDBLACKS are hungry to get back in the win column, and they’ll get a boost from several key returnees.
Quarterback Dru Brown is back under centre for the first time since Opening Night, where he completed 34-of-41 passes (82.9%) for 413 yards and no interceptions against the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ third-ranked defence. On the defensive side, the REDBLACKS will benefit from the return of defensive backs Adrian Frye (and his league-leading three forced fumbles) and Bennett Williams, both suiting up after a one-game injury absence.
Tonight’s contest also holds a homecoming of sorts for Geno Lewis, as he makes his return to Edmonton for the first time since spending the last two seasons as a member of the Elks.
The REDBLACKS will be without star wideout Bralon Addison, however, who sustained an injury during last week’s matchup against Toronto. Andre Miller slides into his spot, making his 2025 debut after a rookie season where he posted 15 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns in six games.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
In their most recent outing, the Elks fell 36–23 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the road. Quarterback Tre Ford delivered a solid performance, throwing for 252 yards and a touchdown, including a 68-yard strike to Kaion Julien-Grant that tied the game early in the fourth quarter. The Elks were outscored 10-0 in the final minutes as Winnipeg pulled away, though, sending Edmonton to an 0-3 start. Julien-Grant was Ford’s most productive, making five grabs for 115 yards and a touchdown. On defence, Nick Anderson led the way with a team-high seven tackles, while Jake Ceresna picked up his first sack of the season.
The REDBLACKS took both contests against the Elks in 2024, thanks to a Lewis Ward walk-off field goal following a shootout at Commonwealth, and a lower-scoring affair in Ottawa the following week.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on Dru Brown’s return to the lineup: “We’re very excited about this. He’s had what I feel is a very good week of practice. At the end of the day, he’s one piece of the puzzle. All of us have to execute and do our jobs around him for the team to be successful. It’s really a team effort, but as I’ve said, Dru is our number one guy, and we’re excited to have him back out on the field.”
Dru Brown, quarterback, on being back under centre: “I think it’s important that you can contribute and help the team win. Throughout the process, it was frustrating, but there where times where I felt like that wasn’t the case, and I didn’t want to have us at a disadvantage just because I wanted to be out there. I want to be the best version of my self to help out the team.”
Adrian Frye, defensive back, on his ability to force turnovers: “It’s the kind of thing you hear in camp all the time, and of course, we want to protect each other practising because we’re teammates. But punching, ripping at the ball, and all that stuff, you’re kind of just taking that to the field, and when you get the opportunity, take your chance, because the worst thing you can do is not get it out. So take a shot at it, and if you get it, great, but at least you’re practising those habits and using those habits that you practice.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH: TSN 1/3, RDS2, CBS Sports Network
STREAM: CFL+
LISTEN: TSN1200, 104,7 FM Outaouais (FR), SiriusXM (ch.167)
