Two quarterbacks looking to shore up their starting positions will square off Sunday when the Ottawa Redblacks visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina.
The Redblacks (3-4) had a two-game winning streak halted in a 16-12 home loss to Hamilton on July 28. Making his third CFL start, Dustin Crum completed 13 of 22 passes for 158 yards and an interception and was sacked seven times against the Tiger-Cats.
“He’s had some success early,” said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, per the Ottawa Sun. “But he’s only played a few games. His path to being a top-level or elite starter in this league will take some time. He’ll develop as he goes.
“Right now, when he makes the decision to run, he just runs. He has to make sure he keeps his eyes up; things may open up. Teams have to adapt because he’s such a good runner. When he does step up, maybe there’s something he can do to put the ball over the top. He’s going to continue to learn, trust in his reads and I’m super excited to watch him develop.”
The Roughriders (3-4) have lost three straight games, including a 31-13 defeat against unbeaten Toronto on July 29. Mason Fine made his second start of the season and completed 27 of 39 passes for 302 yards and two interceptions against the Argonauts.
“He played well,” Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson said, per the Regina Leader-Post. “He made a lot of tough throws under duress and for the most part, played a pretty sound game.
“Got the one pick late but we were down in that game and he’s pressing. I feel good about Mason. I think he’s going to get better this week and I think he’s earned the right to keep playing.”
Dickenson said backup quarterback Jake Dolegala and third-stringer Shea Patterson also could see action against the Redblacks.
Ottawa signed wide receiver Maurice Ffrench this week following his release by Edmonton. He caught 15 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown in four games with the Elks, with the touchdown coming against Ottawa in Week 4.
This is the first meeting of the season between the Redblacks and Roughriders, who will play again in Ottawa on Sept. 22.
–Field Level Media