The Ottawa Redblacks will try to snap an eight-game losing streak in a heated rivalry when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night.
The Tiger-Cats (2-4) haven’t lost in the nation’s capital since 2018. The Redblacks (3-3) are 2-1 at home this season. Both teams are chasing the unbeaten Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Division.
Hamilton has allowed 195 points, the most in the CFL and 101 more than the BC Lions in the same amount of games. The winless Edmonton Elks have allowed 185 points while playing an additional game.
However, the Tiger-Cats’ best defensive effort of the season came in the first meeting with the Redblacks, a 21-13 victory in Hamilton on July 8. Ottawa turned the ball over four times and Marc Liegghio booted five field goals for the Tiger-Cats.
Hamilton’s quarterback situation is unclear, with Bo Levi Mitchell returning to practice this week from an adductor injury sustained in Week 2. Backup Matthew Shiltz injured his hip in Week 6 and rookie Taylor Powell made his first career start in last week’s 31-15 loss to Toronto.
“The hope is to play but to be completely blunt and honest, I’m just going to test it out each day and be honest with (coach Orlondo Steinauer) and say, ‘Hey man, if I feel good, I’m good,’ and then at that point, now it’s up to him to make that decision,” Mitchell said.
“Taylor is going to prepare like he’s the guy, I’m going to prepare like I’m the guy and if it comes to a point where it’s like, ‘Hey, it’s gassed, it’s fatigued’ and I have to pull off, I pull off. But my hope is that everything responded great, I feel great, and I can play.”
Ottawa has won three of its last four and is coming off back-to-back overtime wins against Winnipeg (31-28 on July 15) and Calgary (43-41 on Sunday).
In his second career start, Dustin Crum completed 23 of 29 passes for 254 yards and two TDs and rushed for 63 yards in the Redblacks’ victory against the Stampeders.
“Dustin continues to grow and as a young quarterback there’s going to be ups and downs but I did see some growth,” coach Bob Dyce said, per TSN. “… (He) did a fantastic job of protecting the ball and not putting us in a situation where we gave the ball on a short field.”
Hamilton will be without defensive linemen Dylan Wynn (knee) and Mason Bennett (hamstring), wide receiver Chris Osei-Kusi (hamstring) and fullback Myles Manalo (knee).
Out for Ottawa are linebacker Chizi Umunakwe (shoulder) and three receivers: CJ Lewis (Achilles), Tevaun Smith (hamstring) and Bralon Addison (Achilles).
–Field Level Media