Redblacks hoping first victory of CFL season will come against Lions

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks are seeking their first victory of the CFL season against the B.C. Lions on Sunday night. This season has been challenging for the Redblacks, who have a record of 0-10. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie hopes this week will change their luck, stating, "We’re playing for the love of the game right now and we owe it to the football gods to go out there and play the game the right way."

The Lions, coming off a 30-16 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, boast a strong defense averaging 112.8 yards per game, the third-best in the CFL. However, their offense has been inconsistent, with quarterback Nathan Rourke throwing for over 300 yards in three straight games.

Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier, who has struggled this season, averages 7.5 yards per attempt and ranks last among starters entering Week 13. Despite the Lions' strong defense, Maier remains optimistic, saying, "We’ve got a good team coming in (that’s) playing really well, but I think we need to just play well. And if that’s good enough to earn us a win, then that’s great."

The Redblacks have faced difficulties in containing opponents' offenses, allowing an average of 435.8 net yards per game, with a 56.7% conversion rate on second-down opportunities. Defensive back Marcus Barnes acknowledges the team's determination, stating, "We’re not going to make excuses or let it kind of break us. You can see everybody wants that win as bad as hell, like we’re hungry for it."