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The Ottawa REDBLACKS will start Will Arndt when they do battle with their Ontario rival, the Toronto Argonauts, in their second meetup of the season at BMO Field. The REDBLACKS hope to snap a seven-game losing streak while clinging to their faint playoff hopes. The team needs to win out, while also hoping Edmonton loses their remaining games and the BC Lions also lose at least one game.

The last time these Ontario teams squared off, the Argonauts vanquished their foes 46-17 at TD Place in Ottawa.

Arndt, a Connecticut native, will make his first career Canadian Football League start. He’s made four appearances this season, throwing for 185 passing yards.

“It’s exciting,” Arndt told the Ottawa Sun. “It’s always fun to come out and play football. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m focused on putting in a good week of work so I can go out there and have some success. I’m trying to keep things in perspective. Making things bigger than what they need to be is not going to help.

“We want to get him a bunch of reps and make sure he’s up to speed,” REDBLACKS coach Rick Campbell told the Sun. “We’ll see what he’s got, we want to give him a chance to start a game and play. He’s earned that. I’m excited to see him play. He’s got some game action, but it’s different when you know for a week you’re going to be the starting guy.”

» Depth Charts: OTT | TOR

Meanwhile, the Argonauts will have their first game with former running back Michael “Pinball” Clemons returning as general manager. The 54-year-old was announced as general manager following the dismissal of Jim Popp. For Clemons, the team’s remaining games will play a large role in which players could stay with the team in 2020.

“The reason that we’re going to do this is because of those players that are in the locker room,” Clemons said. “And some of them who are 2-12 right now are going to be part of that turnaround. They will have endured and they’ll know what one side is like. We’re going to bring some other guys that are going to be coming to the table who know what those great seasons are like and know what championships are like.”

On the field, the team will start McLeod Bethel-Thompson at quarterback. He was the team’s quarterback in their 46-17 walloping of the REDBLACKS in September, throwing for 411 yards and three touchdowns.

“We’re going to play our best football Friday and control what we can control. For me, that’s how well I play Friday night.” Bethel-Thompson told the Canadian Press earlier this week.

Bethel-Thompson takes the place of James Franklin, who’s been relegated to backup. Zach Collaros, who had yet to suit up for the Argos in 2019, was traded to Winnipeg just before the deadline on Wednesday.

Kingsley Opara will start for the Argonauts on the defensive line in place of Davon Coleman, who’s been moved to the six-game injured list. Linebacker Ian Wild is on the six-game injured list, which means Tobi Antigha will start in his place at middle linebacker.

Cornerback Robert Woodson will return to the lineup after being away for the birth of his son and will play on the opposite side of Anthony Covington. Matt Boateng, meanwhile, has been placed on the six-game injured list as well.

Ottawa running back Morris Madu will sit out Friday’s game due to injury. The 31-year old has 413 yards on 103 carries this season. The REDBLACKS will now be without him and John Crockett, who remains on the team’s six-game injured list. In their places, Greg Morris and Brendan Gillanders will pick up the slack out of the backfield.

Offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan will also be out of Friday’s contest as he’s been placed on the six-game injured list as well. Defensive back Gump Hayes and defensive lineman Darius Jackson will also miss the game.

The REDBLACKS added receiver/returner Rafael Araujo-Lopes, receiver Wesley Lewis, defensive linemen Cameron Walker and Kene Onyeka, and defensive back Brandin Dandridge.

Jonathon Jennings will back up Arndt Friday night, while Dominique Davis is injured.

BY THE NUMBERS

7 — Ottawa’s losing streak is the second-longest in franchise history, dating back to their expansion season in 2014 where they lost nine straight.

50 — REDBLACKS receiver Dominique Rhymes is 50 yards away from his first ever 1,000 yard season. He has 59 catches and three receiving touchdowns this season.

9,910 — Toronto Argonauts receiver S.J. Green continues his quest for the 10,000 yard plateau. He’s 90 yards shy of that mark. He’s also eight catches away from 700 all-time.

4 — The Double Blue aim to cease a four-game home losing streak Friday. It’s their longest since a six-game losing streak that began at the end of the 2010 season and continued into 2011.

– With files from OttawaREDBLACKS.com/Argonauts.ca