OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks aren’t worried about being rusty coming off a bye week, especially with the chance to clinch a season series with a division rival at stake.
The Redblacks look for their second win of the season over Montreal when they host the Alouettes on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd at TD Place. A win would ensure the Redblacks have the tie-breaker should the teams wind up with the same record at the end of the season.
"You want to play every game with the same intensity, but there’s no denying there’s a little more adrenalin when you’re playing a rival," said DB Antoine Pruneau. "Everyone seems ready to go and the focus is there. I think it helped that we came back a day early and had time to get a couple days of practice in before focusing on Montreal."
The Redblacks (3-2) defeated the Alouettes (2-3) 20-16 in the season opener. The Alouettes are a different team from Week 1, but the Redblacks say they too have made huge strides and are playing with a lot more confidence.
"Their offence is a little different from last time we played them and I know our defence is going to be prepared for them," said Redblacks receiver Brad Sinopoli.
"Ideally we want to start early. Most of our games we’ve had a slow start and had to come from behind and claw our way back to get into it. Being at home we want to get the fans on our side and hopefully score a quick one and go from there."
Ottawa knows it will need to find a way to contain Montreal QB Rakeem Cato if they hope to stop the Alouettes offence. Cato has been impressive in his four starts, going 2-2 finding immediate chemistry with his receiving core.
"He’s a good thrower and he reads stuff well," said Ottawa coach Rick Campbell. "He has the ability that if the play breaks down he can scramble so we need to be smart in our pass-rush lanes and try and keep him in the pocket so he doesn’t run around and do damage with his feet."
In Ottawa’s last game, a 29-26 home win over Calgary in Week 5, the Redblacks scored in the first quarter for the first time this season on a touchdown with 19 seconds remaining. The Redblacks have yet to lead a game at the end of the first quarter, but have managed to split the four games in which they trailed after the first 15 minutes.
"There’s no denying a lot of our wins have been comeback wins and that’s exciting, at least for the fans," said Pruneau. "I think what’s important to notice is that we don’t panic as a team if we get down. We have confidence in one another and we just stick to the game plan."
Chris Milo will make his Redblacks debut Friday night. The 28-year-old Canadian kicker was brought in to replace Delbert Alvarado, who struggled in Ottawa’s last game missing a field goal and a conversion. Milo’s CFL experience should be an asset for the Redblacks.
Notes: WR Chris Williams will miss Friday’s game due to a nagging lower leg injury and will be replaced by Khalil Paden. He isn’t expected to miss any significant amount of time. RB Chevon Walker returns to the lineup after missing the last game with a minor injury. DL Marlon Smith will replace the recently released Delbert Alvarado, Chris Milo will replace Vincent Desloges, DL Andrew Marshall will replace Kalonji Kashama and John Boyett will replace Jerrell Gavins.
