Following a narrow loss to the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on July 12, the Ottawa Redblacks were determined to get their revenge against the Ticats in the next game at home. Unfortunately, the July 20 rematch at TD Place resulted in yet another defeat for Ottawa.
The Redblacks entered the game with only one win and riding a three-game losing streak.
There was reason to be optimistic going into the match, as the Redblacks’ defence stood tall the prior week in Hamilton, holding the league’s top offence to only 23 points, which tied their season low.
“Our mindset is we need to win,” Redblacks coach Bob Dyce said going into the game. “We’ve done everything to prepare and put ourselves in that position. I know these guys are hungry for a victory. Coaches are hungry for a victory, and that’s our plan.”
The game was marred with controversy early on, with Dyce challenging a missed pass interference call. He won the challenge, but his team was unable to convert on their new lease on life, as the drive ended with an interception. The Tiger-Cats capitalized on that failure, as wide receiver Kenny Lawler was able to snatch a deep pass for the game’s first touchdown.
A pivotal moment in the game was a hit by Ticats’ defensive back DaShaun Amos on Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown. Amos delivered a jarring helmet-to-facemask hit on Brown, knocking the Ottawa QB’s helmet off. Brown was subsequently pulled from the game and was replaced by backup Dustin Crum.
Amos took to X to apologize for the hit.
Amos was hit with a 25-yard, Grade 2 penalty for roughing the passer. In a halftime interview, Dyce expressed dismay that Amos wasn’t ejected for the hit.
Amos subsequently met with CFL discipline officials, and he was later handed the league’s maximum fine — a half-game’s pay, or about $2,500.
Despite the injury to Brown, the Redblacks showed plenty of fight during the first half.
While the Tiger-Cats were up 10-0 early, the Redblacks ended the half just down by one at 13-12.
At halftime, heavy rain began pouring onto the field, vacating the stands for a short period of time.
The game had several notable milestones. Veteran Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell slid into the top 10 in all-time CFL passing yards, knocking out Tracy Ham. Mitchell is having a resurgent season, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and making him a favourite for the CFL’s MVP award.
It was also the 100th career game for veteran Ottawa linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox. Santos-Knox joined the Redblacks in 2023, after previously playing in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Hamilton.
“I’m blessed, I’m happy that I’ve gotten to do it,” Santos-Knox said about reaching the century mark in games played.
The second half was a rough showing for the Redblacks. The lone positive moment came in the form of an impressive interception by Ottawa linebacker Adarius Pickett. Pickett joined the team last season, but saw his season cut short by an injured achilles.
‘Our mindset is we need to win. We’ve done everything to prepare and put ourselves in that position. I know these guys are hungry for a victory. Coaches are hungry for a victory, and that’s our plan.’
— Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce ahead of 30-15 loss to Hamilton
Pickett’s pick led to a Redblacks field goal. But that was the team’s only three points in the half, and they needed much more to compete with Hamilton.
The Ticats answered with an impressive drive that ended in a touchdown. They then were able to get an interception of their own, as defensive back Destin Talbert hauled in the ball on a trick deep shot attempt by wide receiver Dustin Hardy. The Tiger-Cats would seal the game with a final field goal with a minute left, doubling the Redblacks 30-15.
The Redblacks now in their bye week, with a chance to reset before hosting the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday, July 31 at TD Place. Meanwhile, the Tigercats were headed to Vancouver this week, with a game against the BC Lions at BC Place on Sunday.
As of July 27, the Redblacks stood last in the CFL’s four-team East Division with a league-worst 1-7 won-lost record. Ahead of Sunday’s game in Vancouver, the 4-2 Tiger-Cats were second in the East behind the 5-2 Montreal Alouettes. The defending Grey Cup champions, the Toronto Argonauts, are just ahead of Ottawa for the last potential playoff spot in the East with a 2-5 record.
However, the league crossover rule could oust both Toronto and Ottawa from post-season play if the West Division’s fourth-place team — currently the Lions at 3-4 — finishes ahead of the East’s third-place team at the end of the 18-game regular season.
