With four chances left to avoid a winless season, the Ottawa Redblacks likely have their best opportunity at home on Friday night against the team with the CFL’s second-worst record.
The Redblacks (0-14) will attempt to snap their historic 20-game losing streak against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-11), who have dropped five in a row and are 1-6 on the road this season.
Ottawa’s remaining schedule includes a road game against the BC Lions on Oct. 9, the home finale against the Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 16, and a season-ending rematch at Hamilton on Oct. 24.
The Redblacks’ miserable campaign continues despite scoring a combined 69 points in their last two games, including last week’s 45-31 home loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
That followed a 40-38 setback at Calgary on Sept. 19, the second consecutive game Ottawa lost on a field goal as time expired.
“We’re definitely close and (it’s) a testament to the guys in the locker room how they fought, keep fighting each week,” Ottawa quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson said.
“One thing we can’t question is our fight,” added Redblacks coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “We fight for a full 60. Now our level of execution has to get better.”
Ottawa is allowing a league-worst 37.4 points and 464.1 yards per game. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s offense ranks last in the league in scoring (24.1 points per game) and total offense (330.4 yards per game).
The Tiger-Cats produced their most points since mid-June last weekend but gave up a field goal at the end of regulation and lost 37-35 in overtime to the host Edmonton Elks.
That loss officially eliminated Hamilton from the playoff picture.
“We were fighting for a playoff spot, fighting for our season,” said Ticats defensive back Reggie Stubblefield. “We fought hard all game. There were mistakes in all phases of the game, but we kept fighting, we kept giving ourselves a chance. To lose like that really hurts.”
Four players have been ruled out for Hamilton, including defensive back Robert Panabaker (hamstring) and wide receiver Keric Wheatfall (ankle). Ottawa won’t have defensive backs Travian Blaylock (hamstring) and Dionte Ruffin (hamstring) and defensive lineman Kori Roberson Jr. (knee).
–Field Level Media
