When the Ottawa REDBLACKS return home to TD Place to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this afternoon, so too does their quarterback.
Dru Brown starts under centre for the REDBLACKS, for the first time since suffering a knee injury on the road August 14 in Winnipeg. It’s a 3:00pm kickoff, as Ottawa looks to attain some redemption after that game’s heartbreaking ending.
Dustin Crum and Co. came up just short in the end, a week ago, dropping a 38-27 result to the BC Lions in Vancouver. Crum threw for 307 yards and a sensational touchdown to Justin Hardy, while rushing for two more. Bralon Addison paced the offence with 112 yards on 11 catches, while Hardy turned in 100 on nine.
Though Brown returns, William Stanback is out with a back injury, replaced by Daniel Adeboboye. Injuries on the offensive line have necessitated another change, with Parker Moorer missing today’s game with a knee injury. Drew Desjarlais slides over to right tackle, while rookie Sam Carson makes the start at right guard.
On special teams, Richie Leone misses today’s game due to personal. Noah Gettman fills in for the five-time All-Star, in his first CFL game.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Bombers continue to endure injury woes of their own, with Chris Streveler again set to start in place of the injured Zach Collaros at quarterback. Streveler went 18 for 29 for 241 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, and a rushing major in last week’s 32-21 road loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Brady Oliveira was again a problem on the ground, picking up 116 yards on 15 carries.
The REDBLACKS nearly erased a 20-3 halftime deficit in the last meeting between these two teams, highlight by a 117-yard Kalil Pimpleton punt return touchdown, but a Sergio Castillo field goal at the buzzer delivered the dagger for the Bombers, in a 30-27 final.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Bob Dyce, Head Coach, on the absence of Richie Leone: “Richie is obviously in a very challenging situation in this life as his mother has passed away, and we really felt it’s important for him to be with his family at this sad time. I just wanted [everyone] to know that, and him to know that all of us here in the REDBLACKS miss him deeply. I know how much it hurts him to be away, but him to know that he’s in our thoughts and prayers.”
Dru Brown, quarterback, on Bralon Addison: “I think league-wide, he’s probably the most underrated player. You look across the league and there are guys that should be in the NFL, whether they’re an inch taller or 10 pounds heavier. It’s everywhere. And Bralon is obviously fun to watch, but I don’t think people quite understand his knowledge of the game and his feel for the game. It’s very rare, so it’s a lot of fun to be around him.”
Jovan Santos-Knox, linebacker, on stopping a prolific Winnipeg ground game: “We’ve just got to be gap sound and physical up front. They have a very physical offensive line. They work well as a group. We’ve just got to make sure that we get good knock-back and that we just fill our gaps.”
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
WATCH: TSN 1/3, CTV, RDS
STREAM: CFL+
LISTEN: TSN 1200, 104,7 Outaouais, Sirius XM (ch.167)
