Streaking Redblacks have different swagger playing BC Lions

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With so much momentum in their favour, the unbeaten-in-five-games Ottawa Redblacks aren’t looking back.

Facing the B.C. Lions — losers of four straight — Saturday night at TD Place, the Redblacks look to ground QB Nathan Rourke, starting his second game after returning from the NFL, and a Lions team coached by longtime Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell.

“Whether we win or lose, our focus is 100% on the next game,” Redblacks coach Bob Dyce said. “We enjoy it when we win, when we lose we learn from it and go forward. We know the most important things are ahead of us, not behind us.”

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“You just play your game,” linebacker/DB Adarius Pickett said. “You can see teams with losing records beat teams with winning records. You prepare each week and play your brand of football.

“You take it one week at a time. When that week is done, you go into the next week. This is the most important game because it’s the next one. Then, you see where you wind up at the end of the season.”

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Linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox said winning football games helps elevate the energy and positivity.

“Last year, we fell into the wrong side of momentum, we found ways to lose games and those started stacking up,” he said. “This year, we’ve learned how to finish close games. We’ve been riding that positive momentum. There’s a different swagger about us, good energy, and you can feel it.”

B.C. will be looking to get its offence back on track. Since putting up 2,203 passing yards — an average of 367.2 per game — with 12 touchdowns over the first five games (mostly on the arm of Vernon Adams, who has been out the past three weeks with a knee injury), the Lions have come crashing to earth with 650 passing yards — an average of 162.5 per game — and just two TDs in the past four.

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In a 20-11 to Winnipeg, Rourke completed just 8-of-25 passes for 126 yards with two of the passes intercepted.

But there’s no way the Redblacks will take the Lions’ offence lightly.

“They have weapons all over the field — they have so many great receivers, a great running back,” Santos-Knox said. “We know last week wasn’t a true indication of what Nathan can bring, he’s still getting into his groove. But we’re going to challenge him and give him a tough time.”

EXCELLENCE OF EXECUTION

In a game where perfection is impossible, where there’s sometimes a very fine line between winning and losing, Barron Miles says no matter what the result is, he’s never totally satisfied.

The Redblacks defensive co-ordinator pushed himself when he was a CFL all-star defensive back and he expects a lot from the players he coaches. So far this season — with the Redblacks at 6-2-1 and unbeaten at home — the defence has excelled.

Asked what the defence can do to be better, Miles answered: “Everything. I’m never satisfied. We have to win the Grey Cup, then I’ll be satisfied.

“It’s the way I’ve always been. I’m hard on myself, I’m hard on the guys. I expect excellence. It won’t be there all the time, but that’s the standard.”

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SCARY INJURY

Former Redblacks DB Douglas Coleman, who is now with the Chicago Bears, was hospitalized after making a tackle during Thursday’s NFL pre-season game in Kansas City. Players from both teams stood around him as he was placed on a stabilizing board, then a stretcher. ESPN.com reported his face mask was removed, but not his helmet. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Coleman, who gave a thumbs up as he was being taken away, had movement in his limbs.

SECOND AND LONG

After QB Jeremiah Masoli stepped in and led the Redblacks to a win over Calgary last week, Dru Brown (foot) returns Saturday. Asked about the Lions defence, Brown said: “They’re very physical. They’re well-coached, you can tell by watching them. They have a lot of talent; it should be a tough game.” … Asked about the Redblacks offence, Dyce said: “We ask our offence to score one more point than the opponent. They’ve shown lots of grittiness and resilience in doing that. Our goal as a team to be better every week and the offence has shown that improvement. As we continue to grow, they’ll keep getting better and better.” … With Bryce Carter (shoulder) going on the one-game injured list, Kene Onyeka is listed as a starter at defensive end. Look for backup Aidan John to also get playing time. “We’re blessed to have (Lorenzo Mauldin IV) and Bryce (at defensive end),” Dyce said. “Kene would be starting on a lot of teams. I’m happy for him to get the reps. Even though he’s only been in spot duty, he makes key plays. Aidan has continued to grow. He played defensive tackle in college, he switched to end. He’s such a big kid and runs so well, he’s a handful out there.” … DB Bennett Williams also was added to the lineup.

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THE END AROUND

While Indiana University quarterback Kurtis Rourke is ranked first in the fall edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top prospects lists, there’s plenty of Ottawa representation, with four local defensive linemen on the list. Akheem Mesidor (Miami) is ranked seventh, Wesley Bailey (Rutgers) is ninth, Rene Konga (Louisville) is 12th and Nate Martey (Arkansas State) is 16th … The Lions have an eight-game winning streak against the Redblacks. Last season, B.C. staged a 20-point rally in the final 2:22 (over a span of 2:06) to win 41-37 … The previous time any Ottawa club started this well was in 1978 when the Rough Riders opened at 7-2 … Pickett has 10 special teams tackles in his past five games … All Decade Team member Moton Hopkins was at TD Place on Friday and Dyce asked him to speak to the players.

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