The Ottawa REDBLACKS are in Montreal for the second time this season, looking to avoid the season sweep vs. the Alouettes.

The two clubs most recently met a few weeks back when the Alouettes picked up a 34-13 victory at TD Place. The Al’s also won the first meeting of the season, holding off Ottawa in a 37-35 victory in Montreal.

Ottawa comes into the game off a 12-point loss in Winnipeg, where a few missed opportunities, including a pass doinking off the upright and tight end Jevoni Robinson’s unfortunate hip injury, resulting in two potential majors not cashing for Ottawa.

A pair of veteran CFLers are making their REDBLACKS debut this week, including defensive lineman Sione Teuhema and defensive back Benny Sapp III, who was just signed on Monday. Global defensive lineman Blessman Ta’ala and national linebacker Josh Connors also draw back into the lineup to round out the changes for the REDBLACKS. Middle linebacker also enters the game as a game-time decision after appearing on this week’s injury report with a hamstring injury.

Receivers Keelan White and Kalil Pimpleton are riding strong performances into this contest, posting 79 and 61 receiving yards, respectively, after each also scored a touchdown when the club was in Montreal earlier this season.

Kicker Brett Lauther has also been a bright spot for Ottawa this year; he enters the game as the only perfect kicker in the CFL (minimum 10 attempts), converting all 23 of his field goal attempts on the season. Coincidentally, his teammate Lewis Ward is also perfect on field goals this year, making good on both of his attempts.

Third meeting of the year

As mentioned, Montreal has taken the two previous meetings with Ottawa this season. The three-pronged attack of Davis Alexander, Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead has been a major weapon for the Alouettes, particularly in these meetings. Alexander has registered 765 yards with five touchdowns, Philpot has 382 receiving yards, while Snead has 253 and two scores. On the season, all three rank among the league’s leaders in yardage in 2026.

On the Ottawa side, Justin Hardy has led the club in receiving yards in the two previous meetings, registering 196 yards and a touchdown across the contests, while Keelan White has posted 108 yards and two scores. Defensively, Nyles Morgan posted nine tackles in the first meeting but missed the second contest due to a hand injury.

Jake Maier has looked strong in two meetings with Montreal, registering 647 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions and is looking to continue some recent strong form into this contest.

In their words

“It’s challenging. Nobody likes to lose, but at the end of the day we have the same mindset and idea of trying to go 1-0 on the week. Not thinking about the fact that we are we are where we are. It’s the fact of the matter, but nobody is coming to save us, so we need to move forward and find ways to move forward.” Linebacker Lucas Cormier on the club’s outlook at the halfway point of the season.

“They’re clearly the top team in the league. They’re playing good football, but you’re going to have to play the best teams in the league. I think it’s a good thing for us. We understand what we’re going into. It’s a good crowd environment, and they feed off of that, so it’s a good challenge for us.” Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Dinwiddie on facing the Montreal Alouettes.

“To be honest, I just look at it as: did we win or lose the game? Did we perform well enough on offence to win the game? Obviously we haven’t done that yet, so I think it’s just been tons and tons of hours in the film room. What can we do better? What areas can we improve our game? Improve the details; obviously the red zone has been a big one the last couple of weeks. Just kind of digging into that and coming up with different ways that we can put up touchdowns and score. That’s kind of been where my frustration has been.” Receiver Ayden Eberhardt reflecting on what the club needs to improve halfway through the season.

“We’re going to continue to keep fighting. I just told the guys, play for the love of the game. We’re professionals; we get paid to do this, but they need to go out and find that inner child that loves to go out and practice, loves to go out and compete and loves to be around the guys. That’s where our focus is on. Montreal and take it one day at a time.” Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Dinwiddie on the club’s focus inside the locker room at this point in the season.

REDBLACKS face Montreal in third and final meeting with the Alouettes