Redblacks see Roughriders visit as a chance to turn season around

OTTAWA — When the Ottawa Redblacks host the Saskatchewan Roughriders Friday night, there will be plenty of familiar faces on the opposing sideline.

But a reunion is not the focus as Ottawa looks to turn around its slow start with a win over the defending Grey Cup champions. The 0-3 Redblacks will be taking on a Saskatchewan squad looking to bounce back from a disappointing 40-34 loss to Toronto last week.

“It’s a must-win, it’s a great turning point for our season,” said Ottawa defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, who spent the past three seasons in Saskatchewan. “The first three games didn’t go how we wanted them to go, but I think we showed a lot of great things. We showed that we’re improving, and we’re going to get there fast.”

The Redblacks showed signs of progress in last week’s 37-35 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, breaking out for 29 second-half points in a comeback that ultimately fell short.

Coach Ryan Dinwiddie liked a lot of what his team did, but the self-inflicted wounds that have been far too frequent since the start of the season need to stop.

“It’s been preached every day since the start of training camp,” said Dinwiddie. “At some stage those guys have to take ownership on it. I can’t go out there and do it for them, right. I try to emphasize it, but you know I’m trying to help them by shrinking the package, but you know they’ve got to have some ownership as well.”

Jake Maier, who spent last season in Saskatchewan backing up Trevor Harris, will make his fourth straight start.

Maier said he learned a great deal from the 40-year-old Harris.

“He’s one of the best preparers I’ve ever been around,” Maier said. “He’s a great leader, he’s somebody that doesn’t cheat the game, ever. You factor all those things in, and that’s what you get.

“You get a true professional that can play any system, play for a bunch of different teams, bond with all different types of players, different types of teammates, and yeah, he’s one of the best in the business for a reason, but to me it’s the preparation, the leadership and he doesn’t cheat the game.”

Maier will have a new backup with McLeod Bethel-Thompson dressing for his first game as a Redblack.

Dinwiddie said he believes Bethel-Thompson likely needs one more week to prepare, but wouldn’t hesitate to put him in the lineup if necessary.

Defensive back C.J. Reavis, who spent four seasons in Saskatchewan, says he sees similarities between the Redblacks and the Roughriders, who also had their share of struggles at the start of last season.

“I know guys are frustrated with the outcome, but not the process,” said Reavis. “I think that’s the big thing. I’m telling guys to be process driven and not results driven.”

Ottawa will get some reinforcements with the return of veteran receiver Eugene Lewis, and defensive backs Alonzo Addae and Adrian Frye. The Roughriders will be without wide receivers Samuel Emilus and Jaylen Johnson, as well as defensive lineman Ali Saad.

ROUGHRIDERS (2-1) VS. REDBLACKS (0-3)

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT: The Roughriders’ offence is in mid-season form, averaging 472.7 yards per game to lead the CFL.

KALIL THE THRILL: Ottawa’s Kalil Pimpleton leads the CFL in kickoff return yards, 466, and is averaging 33.3 yards per return after scoring a 94-yard kickoff return TD vs. Montreal on Sunday.

RARE PICK: Trevor Harris threw his first interception of the season vs. Toronto, ending a streak of 195 consecutive attempts without a pick.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press