Stopping the run game
The REDBLACKS faced a little bit of trouble stopping the run game in previous years, but this year looks like a change! The Roughriders are missing a huge piece of their offense with Zach Collaros’ injury, they will likely lean to former Ottawa running back William Powell. Powell who had a touchdown on over 100 yards in last weeks game against Hamilton, is back for his first game at TD Place in new colors. For us fans, it will be weird, but the players should be happy to be able to get a few hits in early in the game. Powell will not be the only Roughrider carrying the ball,as QB Cody Fajardo is known as a mobile quarterback. When watching Thursday’s game, look out for Saskatchewan’s number 7, as he rushed 7 times for 34 yards and a touchdown in the 3 quarters he played against Hamilton, and has to be stopped this week in Ottawa.
No penalty trouble
Last week in Calgary, the referees were throwing flags play after play as the two teams, Ottawa and Calgary have recently started a rivalry. Even though it is a rivalry, and a few of the penalties were good ones to take these penalties could hurt us later on in the year. The REDBLACKS ended last week’s game with 11 penalties for a total of 113 yards. If the guys keep getting called out for penalties, we could get into some serious yardage trouble.
Stopping the defensive line
In last weeks victory in Calgary, the offensive line put up a great fight getting our running back Mossis Madu over 100 yards and giving Dominique Davis lots of time in the pocket. Although we had an easy time against the Calgary defensive line, it doesn’t mean anything is guaranteed against Saskatchewan. The Roughrider were granted a big defensive lineman this off-season in Micah Johnson. Johnson, who is now a golden part of Saskatchewan’s defense had beaten Ottawa in last year’s grey cup. If Ottawa’s offensive line is just as good as it was last week in Calgary, Mossis Madu should be a happy guy walking off the field tomorrow night.
JZ MEDIA 