The Ottawa Redblacks went into their bye week on a bit of a high.
After a win against Calgary at home of July 28, the surprising Redblacks improved their record to 5-2 good for second place in the CFL’s East Division with a game in hand on the rest of the competition, right behind the defending Grey Cup champs, the Montreal Alouettes.
It is the best start to a season for an Ottawa professional football team since the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1978. It is also the first time in Redblacks history where the team stands with a 4-0 record at home.
The Redblacks are undefeated since a 25-16 loss against the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on July 5.
They defeated the Edmonton Elks twice in back-to-back games; first in Edmonton winning by a single field goal with a final score of 37-34 and five days later in Ottawa, scoring a first drive touchdown in a low-score 20-14 victory.
It is a rare instance of a CFL team getting only five days between two games, let alone against the same team, where they have little time to practise, rest and travel.
“It’s disgusting,” said Edmonton quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. “How many career ending injuries or serious injuries happened tonight? It’s a shame, a travesty.”
On their end, Ottawa acknowledged the unorthodox schedule but had no complaints about the result.
“I’m not going to turn my nose up at any win,” said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, “at the end of the day, when you look at the CFL standings it says 4 wins 2 losses and I’m extremely proud of those guys playing 2 games in such short time.”
The next week, the Redblacks stayed at home to take on the Calgary Stampeders. The game proved to be a defensive masterclass given by Ottawa in a 33-6 blowout victory.
About five minutes into the second quarter, Ottawa’s star running back, Ryquell Armstead received his second personal misconduct penalty of the game and was ejected from the game.
This, however, only seemed to inspire the Redblacks as they went on to score 26 points while keeping the Stamps to a single field goal for the rest of the game.
“We’re the Bullies of Bank Street right now, we just don’t lose at home,” said linebacker Davion Taylor, a CFL newcomer with three seasons of NFL experience on the Philadelphia Eagles, “We’re trying to keep that mentality … and bring it when we travel.”
Redblacks rookie wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton recorded seven receptions for 80 yards gained and 209 yards returning including a 99 yard punt return touchdown, during the game against Calgary, while also contributing with offensive blocks, despite only standing at 5’7” 175 lbs.
“When we saw [Pimpleton] it got the fans riled up and the whole team riled up,” said Taylor, a CFL newcomer with three seasons of NFL experience with the Philadelphia Eagles. “When you have that, you just want to capitalize, the defence wants to make a play, the offence wants to make a play.”
“When everybody can put their pride aside, we can be at our full potential to win the game,” said Pimpleton, on TSN 1200, humbly praising his teammates.
The talent left the coaching staff unfazed.
“That was a lot of desire on Kalil’s part and it was great to see, I know he’s a dynamic guy so it does not surprise me,” added Bob Dyce.
After their break, the Redblacks take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in front of their fans at TD Place on Thursday. The Redblacks want to make Ottawa “… the town to come to” and bring more wins, said Taylor.
