LIVESTREAM PPV: CFL – Ottawa REDBLACKS @BC Lions, Friday, Sept. 13, 7p (10p EDT, 1a Sept. 14 CEDT)

The BC Lions will host the Ottawa REDBLACKS at BC Place in their first meeting of the year. The Lions are trying to end a seven-game losing streak while searching for their first home win this season. They’ll go against an Ottawa squad that’s won two of its three games on the road. Both teams have one win in their last nine games.

“It’s good to be back at home. I think the guys are excited to play in front of our crowd,” Lions quarterback Mike Reilly said. “Looking forward to putting a good performance together, finally, at home. Haven’t done that yet this year.”

» Depth Charts: OTT | BC

The REDBLACKS say they won’t look overlook the struggling Lions on Friday.

“They’ve had multiple games this year that they could’ve won,” REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell said. “They’re like Toronto, or like us, (they’ve had) some of our games where you’re kind of kicking yourself because you didn’t win it.”

“We can’t take anybody lightly,” quarterback Jonathon Jennings said.

Friday night’s game will be a homecoming for Jennings, as he’ll make his first appearance in BC since leaving the team after last season. The 27-year old spent the last four seasons with the Lions before joining the REDBLACKS earlier this year.

After originally backing up Dominique Davis, Jennings has emerged as the team’s starter. Through five games, he’s thrown three touchdowns and four interceptions to go with over 700 yards passing.

“I look at the roster and there are a lot of guys I don’t know, a lot of coaches that are new to that system as well,” Jennings told The Canadian Press. “But there’s a lot of familiar faces as well, a lot of guys that I know and played with for a long time. It’ll be exciting. I went against those guys in practice a lot and it’ll be exciting to strap it up on the field with them.”

“I expect a quick game from him, he’ll pull the ball out fast and he can run,” Lions defensive lineman Junior Luke said. “We’ve got to make sure we keep him in the pocket, force him to make good throws and make sure we don’t let him score.”

Luke and the rest of the BC Lions defence will try to improve on their performance in recent weeks. They’ve allowed 34 points over their last two games. Prior to those two matchups, they only had one game where they allowed fewer than 32 points.

“Early in the year, you’re trying to find the pieces that mix well together, that play well together and can play one side of the unit,” Lions head coach DeVone Claybrooks said. “We were two or three pieces away and we feel that we found those pieces in the last few weeks and we’ve got guys in positions. They’re also familiar with the uniqueness of the way that we try to run our defence.”

The Lions, however, still need their offence to be in gear if they want a victory. It’s also where they made their lone change to the lineup as running back Jamel Lyles will enter for fullback David Mackie, who’s now on the one-game injured list.

The REDBLACKS will have more players on the shelf Friday, including Canadian receiver Brad Sinopoli. Nate Behar moves into his spot in the slot, while Jacob Scarfone draws into the lineup at wideout. Receivers Wesley Lewis and Global player Guillermo Villalobos have also been added to the depth chart.

Running back Mossis Madu will make a second straight start for Ottawa with first-year back John Crockett unable to go. In last week’s loss to the Argos, Madu was held in check on the ground but did catch 12 of 14 targets in the passing game.

On defence, linebackers Avery Williams and Kevin Brown will also sit out the Friday night contest. De’Andre Montgomery will start in Williams’ spot, while fellow linebackers Nick McBeath and Kevin Francis have also been added to the roster. Defensive back Sherrod Baltimore will also return to the lineup.

For the Lions, their offence looks to keep the pressure off Reilly for a second straight game. They gave up just one sack last week to the Alouettes in their first game since switching O-line coaches.

Brandon Rutley will make a second straight start in the absence of John White.

BY THE NUMBERS

22 — REDBLACKS quarterback Jonathon Jennings made 22 career starts as a member of the BC Lions, going 12-10.

45 — Lions quarterback Mike Reilly has been sacked 45 times this year, but he was only sacked twice last week against the Montreal Alouettes.

96.4 — Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward has missed a few kicks recently, but he’s still made 96.4 per cent of his kicks since joining the Canadian Football League in 2018.

7 — Lions defensive lineman Odell Willis has gone seven straight games without a sack, the longest such streak of his Canadian Football League career.