With back-to-back wins now in their rearview mirror, the Ottawa REDBLACKS visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Thursday night, on Whiteout Night in Winnipeg. It’s an 8:30pm ET kickoff, as the REDBLACKS look for their third straight win, and second on the road.
Ottawa won a thriller at BMO Field just five days ago, with Dru Brown and the REDBLACKS offence powering the team to a 46-42 road win over the Toronto Argonauts. Brown’s 377 passing yards and career-high five touchdowns helped the team overcome a 22-1 first quarter deficit, alongside a pair of touchdowns from Geno Lewis, and two from Justin Hardy, including the game-winner in the final minute.
While the injury bug continues to bite the REDBLACKS in the form of Amari Henderson, Frankie Griffin, Les Maruo, and Alijah McGhee all being out for this game, Ottawa is also due some reinforcements. Cleyon Laing and Bennett Williams are both listed as gametime decisions, while Gavin Heslop returns for the first time since a standout Week 4 performance, and Ace Eley also drops into the lineup.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Sitting at third place in the West Division with a 4-4 record, the Bombers are looking to get back in the win column, after dropping a heartbreaker to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 10.
Despite falling 28-27, Zach Collaros completed 21 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown to Jerreth Sterns, and Chris Streveler scored a touchdown on the ground. Brady Oliveira led the team in both rushing and receiving yards, with 68 and 100, respectively.
This is the first of two meetings on the season between the REDBLACKS and Bombers, with Ottawa having won two of the last three matchups dating back to 2023.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on the offence’s improvement throughout the season: “They’ve done a fantastic job in finishing, that’s one of the things we really emphasize, like getting the ball in the score zone and scoring touchdowns. They’ve been doing a great job marching the ball, but now they’re finishing drives with touchdowns. ”
Dru Brown, quarterback, on the team’s success in Week 10: “Our special teams put us in good positions multiple times, and then we executed when we were down there. That’s the name of the game; if all 12 guys do what they’re supposed to, and what they’re coached to, then you should score. We are playing consistently and executing accordingly.”
Justin Hardy, receiver, on what it will take to get a win on the road: “I think it’s just playing complementary football. Last week, we had some special teams plays and were able to go out there and score, and at the same time, the defence was able to capitalize and get the interception after we scored off the special teams. So I think it’s all around playing complementary football.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH: TSN 1/3, RDS (FR), CBSSN (USA)
STREAM: CFL+
LISTEN: TSN 1200, 104,7 FM Outaouais (FR), SiriusXM (ch.167)
