Latest news with #Redblacks
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary Stampeders off to a hot start host winless Ottawa Redlacks in CFL
Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum sets up a play during first half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023. Crum will be Ottawa's starting quarterback in Saturday's game against the Calgary Stampeders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Doing it for Reggie was a Calgary Stampeders theme head of Saturday's CFL game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Veteran receiver Reggie Begelton, in his eighth season as a Stampeder, had surgery this week following a leg injury that will keep a key cog in Calgary's offence out of the lineup for some time. 'Big piece, can't replace him, but you know he's been here, he's been talking to us all week, watching film with us, helping us, so you know we're looking to do it for Reggie this week because we know he wants to be out there with us,' said receiver Erik Brooks, who was promoted to starter because of Begelton's absence. Lineup changes Both Calgary (2-0) and Ottawa (0-2) enter Saturday's clash at McMahon Stadium with significant lineup changes. Ottawa's quarterbacking carousel stopped on Dustin Crum after Dru Brown (hip) was injured in the season-opener against Saskatchewan and Matt Schiltz was intercepted three times by Montreal in Week 2. Brown took a few reps in practice this week, but it was Crum doing first-team duty. The 26-year-old Crum has a 3-11 record in CFL starts. 'We know all three quarterbacks. Obviously Dru's not going to suit up,' Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. 'Different styles. I'm sure (they) call a different game for all three guys. 'I hope my brother has a great game, but the plan is to do our job and beat Ottawa.' Godfrey Onyeka is ready for a brotherly battle on Family Day as his younger brother Kene and the Redblacks come to town. 🗞️ — Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) June 20, 2025 'But we're just going to play our game, we're going to see what the weather's like, how we feel the best way to stop them is.' Rainy forecast Continuous rain forecasted for southern Alberta could make for a soggy afternoon at McMahon. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. says that prospect isn't unsettling for him having played for the University of Oregon Ducks. 'The rain's not a huge deal,' Dickenson said. 'You can call your game. Maybe a little harder to catch the ball and throw the ball. We've all played in some nasty weather, especially playing and living in Canada. 'It's ball security basically. Special teams has a huge impact in a bad-weather game. Balls on the ground, the kicks that are hitting the ground and bouncing backwards. Special teams is always important, but in windy, bad-weather games, I think the importance is even more.' Adams has yet to throw for a touchdown in two games, but he's navigated Calgary to nearly 400 yards of net offence per game and ranks second to Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell in passing yards (585). 'The first two games I feel like the defence has really held us in there and then we come back like later on in the game,' Adams said. 'That shows our resiliency. We would like to get going a little bit more and stay more consistent, but I just like the fight that we have and just staying together.' Begelton out Begelton, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver, was placed on the six-game injured list after he went down on the Stampeders' second play from scrimmage in last week's 29-19 over the Toronto Argonauts. He underwent surgery Thursday. When Adams goes to the air, he's expected to lean on Canadian Jalen Philpot, who compiled a career-high 117 receiving yards against the Argos, and Dominique Rhymes, who had four receptions for 98 yards. A wet game can turn into a running game, and Adams has a solid option in Dedrick Mills with 122 rushing yards and a league-leading four touchdowns in two games. The Stampeders will also be minus offensive lineman Bryce Bell (shoulder), long snapper Aaron Crawford (knee) and linebacker Marquel Lee (bicep), who was scheduled for Friday surgery. Micah Teitz has shifted to middle linebacker and Jacob Roberts into starting weak side in Lee's absence. Calgary's defence ranks third in the league in yards allowed (355.5), points allowed (22.5) and opponent rushing yards (57.0). According to CFL statisticians, strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief allowed only three of eight passes in his direction to be completed in Toronto, and those passes amounted to a total of seven yards with no first downs. New Stampeder cornerback Adrian Greene had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown against the Argos. Ottawa is thin at weak-side linebacker with Lucas Cormier (ankle) and Davion Taylor (ankle) both out. The Redblacks need to get their run game going as 70 yards over two games ranks last in the league. They also need to stop shooting themselves in the foot with a league-leading 231 yards in penalties. Shiltz was 22-for-32 in passing for 205 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in last week's 39-18 loss to Montreal. Crum has scored a pair of short-yardage touchdowns this season. -- Donna Spencer This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Stampeders new defence solid to start CFL season with Redblacks coming to Calgary
Article content 'We won,' said Dickenson, solemly. 'But it came at a cost.' Article content Article content Also added to the six-gamer is fellow Stamps veteran Aaron Crawford (knee), the team's long-snapper who battled through injury to finish out the victory in Toronto. Article content His absence means the Red and White have re-signed fellow Canadian long-snapper Jason MacGougan, who should suit up for Saturday's contest at McMahon. Article content Then there's veteran offensive lineman Bryce Bell (shoulder), who is likely to be a game-time decision again after shaking off that status last week to start before coming out of the contest, pushing rookie Chris Fortin into Bell's centre duties. Article content 'We're definitely going to be down some guys,' Dickenson said. 'We're going to see how it plays out. We're still getting information on everybody. Article content 'That does give us opportunity for other guys … and we're gonna have to adjust. It is next man up. But I think we've got some depth right now.' Article content Article content What's up with the Redblacks? Article content They dropped the season-opener on the road — 31-26 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0) — and then lost last Friday at home — 39-18 to the visiting Montreal Alouettes (2-0). Article content Starting QB Dru Brown's status for Saturday's game is up in the air after being limited in practice for the Redblacks due to a hip injury that caused him to miss Week 1. Article content If Brown can't go, it looks like QB Dustin Crum, who's also been taking first-team reps in practice this week, will be under centre for the Redblacks. Matt Shiltz, who was with the Stamps last year, is also in the quarterback mix after starting — and throwing three INTs — in last week's loss. Article content 'They're talented,' added Teitz, of the Redblacks. 'They've got really good receivers and good offensive linemen.'
CTV News
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CTV News
Melissa Lamb
You can catch Melissa Lamb Monday to Friday bright and early on CTV Morning Live with the region's daily forecasts and lifestyle segments. She was born in the small town of Vankleek Hill, but grew up in Ottawa's east end Orleans where she now resides with her own family. Melissa has spent more than 15 years on camera in a variety of roles from, news to weather and sports anchor to host and even a lifestyle expert. She got her start in television right here in Ottawa working for the Ottawa Senators TV Show, Molson Senators Overtime. From there, her love and passion for live television grew and eventually lead her to Peterborough as a videographer working for CHEX TV. While she loved everything the industry had to offer, she always knew she wanted to work for her hometown network CTV Ottawa, and in 2010 that dream became reality as she got her first job as a part-time news reporter for the network. Her dream role also became a reality as host of CTV Morning Live. Melissa`s most prized role is that of mom. She is married to Ottawa Redblacks defensive lineman Nigel Romick, and together they have 2 young kids Luca and Lola. Together they love to spend time outdoors exploring all the beautiful parks and trails in our city. Melissa and her husband love to cook, and lead a healthy and active lifestyle together. She loves fashion, and describes her style as girlie chic. Melissa loves volunteering her time and giving back in her city. She sits on a variety of charitable boards, raising money and awareness for causes close to her heart, including CHEO and OSEG foundation. Melissa loves to spread kindness and positivity wherever she can and loves to pay it forward.
National Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
10 Thoughts: Roughriders run game, kicking problems and more
Article content 5. While Brett Lauther came into the game having made 23 straight field goals, he missed on three of his five attempts on Saturday night. Lauther was not able to kick during practice this week after the Riders were forced inside due to the smoky conditions in Regina. Plus, he's adjusting to a new holder this year in rookie punter Joe Couch. I don't want to make excuses for him but one bad game isn't cause for concern. Look at what he did last year after missing four field goals in Week 11 against Montreal. He made 28 of his next 29 kicks to end the season. It also didn't cost the Riders a victory. Article content 6. Did you notice the Canadian flag graphic on individual players during the TSN broadcast when they pulled up the starting rosters? I wonder if they read last week's Roughriders Mailbag when a reader, Fred Clipsham, brought this idea up. It's a nice touch. Article content 7. After giving up 413 passing yards last week against the Ottawa Redblacks, it was almost assumed Bo Levi Mitchell would get over the 300-yard mark against Saskatchewan's defence on Saturday. Mitchell completed his first 12 passes and was 15-of-19 for 167 yards in the first half before ending the night with 336 passing yards. Considering how well Saskatchewan's defence is against the run (51 rushing yards allowed Saturday), their zone passing defence continues to be exploited. But as long as they're making big plays when they need them, the system seems to be effective. Article content Article content 8. After registering 10 tackles and sack last week against the Ottawa Redblacks, Roughriders middle linebacker Jameer Thurman had five tackles and another sack against the Ti-Cats. As good as Saskatchewan's defensive line and secondary are, Thurman might be the most important piece of the defence. But let's not forget about halfback Rolan Milligan, who after leaving Saskatchewan's opening game with a concussion, intercepted Mitchell and returned it 64 yards for his first career touchdown. Both are on their way to second straight all-star seasons. Article content 9. Harris completed passes to seven players on Saturday with KeeSean Johnson leading the way with eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown as he registered his third career 100-yard game after notching 101 yards and 103 yards in Week 17 and 18 last season respectively. With Kian Schaffer-Baker on the injured list and Samuel Emilus finishing the game on the sideline, Johnson put together a big performance and the former NFLer should continue to do so on a weekly basis regardless of who is in the lineup for Saskatchewan. Article content 10. And lastly, what constitutes a 'potential scoring play'? Early in the fourth quarter, when Tiger-Cats receiver Kenny Lawler hauled in a deep pass before knocking over the end-zone pylon, Hamilton's offence ran another play, which resulted in a touchdown. There was then some confusion as Roughriders head coach Corey Mace had already thrown his challenge flag prior to the touchdown plunge. The play went back to a review via challenge. Was the catch by Lawler a 'potential scoring play' since he was so close to the end zone? It didn't appear to be the case but when it's that close, shouldn't it? The call on the field was eventually confirmed on the field by the Command Centre prior to the challenge, so it didn't really matter anyway. Article content
Ottawa Citizen
7 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
What we've learned about the Ottawa Redblacks through two games of the CFL season
The soundtrack of post-game quotes emanating from the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday was more like a broken record than the missed opportunity of tying one. Article content For the second straight week, their own fingerprints were all over the weapon that killed their chances of breaking into the win column this season. Article content Article content They added a new mode of death with four turnovers on three interceptions, but the word 'penalties' is prominent in the obit of their 39-18 loss to the Montreal Alouettes Article content Article content The Redblacks aren't 0-2 just because they were flagged 11 times for 98 yards against the Alouettes and now have taken a total of 23 penalties for 224 yards — or slightly more than the length of a football field per game. Article content Article content In their home opener, for instance, they proved to be inferior to their nearest division rival in almost every way. Article content But the handkerchiefs tossed Ottawa's way remain a pressing problem for a team that also led the Canadian Football League in penalty yards last season. Article content 'We have to understand that we can't let two turn into four,' receiver Eugene Lewis, who was unable to bring his consecutive games touchdown streak to a CFL-record tying 10 games, said of the number in the loss column while there's still a zero under the W. 'It's still early in the season. This doesn't define us as a team, but we've got to be way more disciplined. Article content Article content 'We can't have as many turnovers, we can't have the penalties because that's always a recipe for losing. We know that, and we know what we've got to do to get better.' Article content Lewis blamed the fouls for interrupting the team's 'rhythm' on drives. Article content 'When we did have a positive play, we'd go back minus five,' he said. Article content But even more damaging than the four offensive penalties — a time-count violation by quarterback Matt Shiltz, an illegal procedure call on rookie tackle Darta Lee and the offsides committed by receivers Bralon Addison and Kalil Pimpleton — were the five by the defence. Article content While head coach Bob Dyce pointed a finger at himself for not doing a better job of getting the players to realize the 'challenge' penalties created — 'When you work hard to earn things, you can't give things away,' he said — he does pound the message into them daily.
