Lowly Redblacks host East Division-leading Alouettes still looking for first win

OTTAWA — The Redblacks had a week off to recover and reflect.

They’re hoping that break will help turn around a miserable start to the CFL campaign.

Ottawa hosts East-Division leading Montreal on Friday, desperate for a win following six straight losses to open the season.

The schedule maker did the Redblacks a favour thanks to a bye week coupled with the Alouettes (6-1) facing a quick turnaround following Sunday’s impressive 31-18 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Despite its 0-6 record, Ottawa liked a lot about its last game against Montreal — a 37-35 loss in Week 4 — and feels there have been improvements since.

“We’ve got to make the plays that need to be made, and I always tell our guys just make the routine plays consistently,” Redblacks head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie said. “We don’t have to be superheroes, but we’ve just got to make the routine plays throughout the full 60 (minutes).”

Ottawa, however, has yet to play four complete quarters already one-third of the way through 2026.

And there have been countless breakdowns, needless penalties and turnovers.

Starting quarterback Jake Maier, however, is coming off a solid performance against Winnipeg where he threw for 344 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

He pointed to the last game against the Alouettes as the moment Ottawa started finding its identity, but knows the team — and himself — will be judged by its record.

“I care deeply and I just want to make sure that I’m presenting myself in a way that’s emotionally mature,” Maier said. “Just try to have good perspective … to make sure (the team) believes that their quarterback is in a good headspace and it’s not about me.

“I try to live in a world where it’s more about us.”

The Redblacks will have at least one new body on offence Friday at TD Place after acquiring tight end Jevoni Robinson from Hamilton.

“We have what it takes,” Robinson said. “Just being in the locker room, it’s not really a deflated team at all. Just one or two quarters or plays away from being an exceptional team. I just want to come in here and do my job.”

There will also be a familiar face back in Ottawa’s lineup after kicker Lewis Ward was signed earlier this week with Brett Lauther on the six-game injury list. The 33-year-old was released back in April, while on his honeymoon, after spending eight years with the organization.

Defensive back Kabion Ento returns to Montreal’s lineup after missing four games with a hamstring injury.

WHAT A STREAK

Montreal has won the last 12 meetings overall with Ottawa dating back to the Redblacks’ 24-18 victory at Percival Molson Stadium in Oct. 2022.

GET IN A RHYTHM

Ayden Eberhardt has started to find his stride in Ottawa’s offence, averaging 124 receiving yards over his last two games.

KEEP IN CHECK

Montreal’s Tyson Philpot, the CFL’s leading receiver with 839 receiving yards, was held to 32 yards last week against Hamilton. He posted both his season high and the league’s single-game season high with 198 receiving yards on 12 receptions the last time the Alouettes played the Redblacks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2026.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press