The Ottawa REDBLACKS host the Montreal Alouettes for a rematch of last week’s Thanksgiving Day game in Montreal.

Quarterback Tyrie Adams will get his second career start after Dustin Crum suffered an injury on Thanksgiving at Molson Stadium. Adams’ only other start in the CFL came back on June 30, 2023 at TD Place against the Edmonton Elks. He moved the ball well, completing 14 of 20 passes for 185 yards with a touchdown pass to Marco Dubois. He also added three carries for 31 yards in the 26-7 victory for RNation but after the game, he was diagnosed with a torn ACL and meniscus ending his 2023 season.

Justin Howell returns to the lineup for the first time since August 15, after recovering from a hamstring injury. Rookie Cam Lockridge will make his second consecutive start after impressing last week in Montreal and fellow rookie DJ Jones makes his first career start at right tackle.  Running back Devonte Dedmon also returns to the roster after being a late scratch last week.

When it comes to potential milestones, receivers Geno Lewis and Justin Hardy are each trying to eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark. Lewis needs 37 yards to hit the marker for the fourth time in his career, Hardy needs 63 yards for his third consecutive 1,000 yard season.

 

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

The Alouettes head into the penultimate game of the season, with first place in the east still in their sights. They need to win out and get help from Ottawa next week but they are very much still alive in that conversation.

Davis Alexander moved the offence efficiently last week, completing 23 of 30 passes for 240 yards with a touchdown  pass to Austin Mack. Darnell Sankey led the way on the defensive end, posting seven tackles, while Tyrice Beverette, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Najee Murray and Marc-Antoine Dequoy each added a sack. Dequoy also made an impact on special teams last week, recovering his own blocked punt for a return touchdown.

 

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Head Coach Bob Dyce on Tyrie Adams: “It’s a great opportunity for Tyrie. He’s looked good in practice and has the benefit that he’s been around here for four years. He knows what we do offensively, so now it’s his opportunity this week for him to get out there and run the offence… Today and yesterday he’s  shown his ability to move the ball, his arm strength and his ability to get the ball out quickly and I thought he did a really good job of that this week.”

Tyrie Adams on preparing for this week: “It’s a short week but Tommy has done a great job of staying after practice with me and making sure I’m getting extra reps. He’s just helping me visualize a little more given that it’s a short week and we had more walkthroughs than practices this week. Kudos as well to Matt (Shiltz), Dustin (Crum) and Dru (Brown), they’re all helping me and that’s just what it takes.”