The Ottawa REDBLACKS host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night for a rematch of the regular season opener at TD Place.
Star running back William Stanback returns to the lineup after missing Ottawa’s previous game with a back injury, while quarterback Dru Brown makes his second consecutive start since returning from injury against the Bombers just before the bye week. Everything gets underway at 7:30 p.m. as the REDBLACKS look to even the season series after dropping the opener in Regina.
Brown makes his second consecutive start, coming off a 400-yard performance against the Bombers and has now hit the 400-yard mark in five of his 26 starts—the second-best clip ever. Both Geno Lewis and Justin Hardy eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark against the Bombers with Bralon Addison and Kalil Pimpleton each catching touchdown passes. On the defensive side, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox registered his first interception of the season while four REDBLACKS got to Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler.
Stanback isn’t the only one returning to the lineup Friday night, safety Bennett Williams draws in after missing the previous four on the injured list and all-star punter Richie Leone returns after a one game absence. Rookie linebacker Jamie Pettway will make his CFL debut after joining the club barely a month ago and James Peter’s return rounds out five changes for the REDBLACKS Friday night.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Old friend Trevor Harris leads the west division leading Roughriders into TD place on Friday night, though they are riding a two-game losing streak. Running back A.J. Ouellete carried the ball 19 times for 115 yards and a score against the Elks last week and KeeSean Johnson had eight receptions for 119 yards but the Riders came up just short, falling 27-25 in Edmonton.
Ottawa nearly overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit in the previous meeting between these two clubs on opening night, but the Riders were able to rally behind their hometown crowd to hold on to a 31-26 victory.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Head Coach Bob Dyce on William Stanback’s return to the lineup: “The great thing about William is the physicality that he brings and he’s the ultimate competitor. For us, we want to be extremely physical along the line of scrimmage and when you have William in there, that can wear (the opposition) out over four quarters. He has a never-say-die attitude and fights for every single yard he gets which takes a toll on the defence. He’s a quiet leader but he does a great job of motivating our players.”
William Stanback on returning to the lineup: “It feels great. Being back out there with the guys, you know, it’s hard for me to be on the sideline watching everyone competing at a high level. For me, to be back out there with the guys it feels great and it feels like that’s where I’m supposed to be.”
