Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown (3) runs with the ball during second half CFL action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Ottawa, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

By The Canadian Press

Redblacks’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread as Roughriders come to TD Place

Oct 2, 2025 | 3:30 PM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks, stuck at the bottom of the CFL standings, will face their toughest test this of the season Friday night when they host the league-leading Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Not only will the Redblacks be looking for an upset, they will be fighting to keep their season alive.

The chances of Ottawa (4-10) making the playoffs are slim, but a win against Saskatchewan (10-4) would at least give the Redblacks hope. A loss officially puts them out of contention.

“In life all you want is an opportunity,” said head coach Bob Dyce. “And these guys have a fantastic opportunity, we all have a fantastic opportunity in front of us, and we plan on going out and seizing that.”

Defensive back Adarius Pickett says the team’s focus remains firmly on the task at hand rather than what lies ahead.

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“It’s been the main focus all week,” Pickett said. “You worry about next week when it comes, but you know, you can’t get the next week without getting through tomorrow. I think that’s the most important part for us right now.”

The Roughriders will be looking to snap its two-game losing streak after falling 27-25 to Edmonton last week.

Ottawa will want to try and get to Riders quarterback Trevor Harris, who has thrown four interceptions in his last three games. The challenge will be doing it without defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV, who was traded to Calgary earlier in the week.

Mauldin was a key member of the Redblacks defence, but Dyce says it’s not up to just one player to fill the gap.

“It takes a team effort,” said Dyce. “One of the areas that we think we have a lot of talent is the D-line and I think it’s going to take all those guys…it’s about the whole group.”

The Redblacks will look to quarterback Dru Brown for another big outing after he sparked the offence with an opening-drive touchdown and finished with 406 yards and two touchdowns in the last game.

Brown, who has been limited to just nine starts this season due to injury, has full respect for the Roughriders but is confident his team can meet the challenge.

“They’re a great team for reasons that everybody knows, but anyone can be beat,” Brown said. “I think we showed that we could play with everybody. It’s just we’ve got to limit our mistakes in critical situations. So, you know, I think everyone’s looking forward to competing against one of the best.”

Special teams were a weak spot for Ottawa in its last game, as Bombers’ returner Trey Vaval ran back two missed field-goal attempts for touchdowns. In many ways it sums up Ottawa’s season.

“You have to find ways to win in this league,” said fullback Marco Dubois. “We owe it to the fans to be better in crucial moments. You look at games and we’ve been playing good and then some crucial plays happen, explosive plays.”

Dubois said the team has allowed far too many game-changing plays and need to have more urgency in those situations.

Running back William Stanback returns to Ottawa’s lineup after missing last game. Safety Bennett Williams, who hasn’t played since Week 12, also returns, as does punter Richie Leone, after missing the last game to attend his mother’s funeral.

After missing nearly the entire season, Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker returns to the Roughriders’ lineup for the first time since Week 1. Also returning from injury are running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and linebacker Melique Straker.

ROUGHRIDERS (10-4) AT REDBLACKS (4-10)

Friday, TD Place Stadium

REST IS A WEAPON: The Redblacks have a perfect record after a week off in 2025.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Saskatchewan’s A.J. Ouellette has scored a touchdown in each of his last four games and has averaged 82 rushing yards in his last six.

LET’S MAKE IT 1,000: Ottawa’s Eugene Lewis needs 103 yards to reach 1,000 for the fourth time in his career. Lewis is the CFL’s active leader in receiving yards (7,158) and touchdowns (46).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2025.

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press