REDBLACKS head west for one final time in 2026

It’s the last West Division road trip for the Ottawa REDBLACKS as the club is in Vancouver to take on the BC Lions in a Week 19 showdown.

Perhaps the first thing that will jump out to REDBLACKS fans is the consistency from week to week. Ottawa made just two roster changes coming off last week’s loss to the Tiger-Cats, the fewest amount of changes week to week since June 20, a game in which the REDBLACKS were coming off a bye week.

Defensive back Dionté Ruffin slides into the field half spot, with Alonzo Addae taking over the starting strong-side linebacker spot following the release of Benny Sapp earlier this week. Former Laurier star receiver Ethan Jordan gets a shot in the lineup, replacing Nick Mardner.

“We’ve got some new DB’s coming in, and we only have so many roster spots. Benny did a good job when he was here, and we wish him the best.” Dinwiddie said, noting that he expects even more defensive back help on the way.

Running back Dan Adeboboye makes his fourth consecutive start after taking over for the injured Greg Bell. Adeboboye has the REDBLACKS two largest rushing outputs on the season, including posting 74 yards against Hamilton last week and an 87-yard performance in the season opener back in June.

“I’m applying for a starting running back job. God’s given me that blessing to have that talent, and I think with the work that I’ve been able to put in, whenever the opportunity comes, I’ve wanted to make it known that I can be a starting running back. It was just waiting on the opportunity to present itself but at the end of the day I want to be a starting running back and I believe that I can be a starting running back.” Adeboboye said following practice this week.

“It’s just opportunity. With the carries that come, some are going to go for 1 yard, some are going to go for 5, and some are going to go for 55. You just try and make the most of the carries that you get. Over the past few years, I’ve been a backup running back, I’ve always tried to just make the most of the carries that I do get.”

When asked about the amount of roster turnover the REDBLACKS have experienced this season, he noted it’s to be expected with the roster performance and the team needs to have the mindset that they’re auditioning every week for their jobs.

“We're in professional sports, the second they sense that you start to quit, you're gone. We have that to play for. Our jobs are week by week and the nature of this business is they're not afraid to let guys go and bring in new ones. They're scouting for next year and we have to do our job to make sure we're on the team next year.”

Vancouver native Keelan White will have a little bit of extra support in the building this week, as he’s expecting over 80 friends and family members at BC Place. The North Vancouver native grew up going to Lions games as a young fan.

“It means a lot to be going home to be playing in front of all of the people who have supported me throughout my journey, so yeah it means a lot to be going back there,” White said in an interview on Wednesday on TSN 1200’s The Drive with A.J. Jakubec and Steve Lloyd.

White is having a breakout year in his sophomore season, already eclipsing career highs in all of the major receiving categories, despite missing some time earlier in the season due to injury and still with three games left to play. He’ll also have an outside shot at his first 1,000-yard season, currently sitting on 767 yards. Keelan credits a part of this success to the receiver room in Ottawa, including veteran Justin Hardy, who he says has led by example for him throughout his young career.

“It’s getting a feel for everything. I haven’t really done anything perfect, but for me it’s about not making the same mistake twice. The veterans have helped with that, and Hardy has been honestly huge for me. I just lean on him, watch him and ask him questions, and I’ve just tried to absorb all that I can from Hardy.” White said on the Drive this week. “I really just try to emulate everything he does. He’s been playing football a long time. He’s a true vet, and I just try to copy anything that I can.

Young quarterback Bryson Barnes moves up the depth chart and is listed as the backup behind McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Dinwiddie expects Barnes to see some time in BC but notes Bethel-Thompson will get the majority of the reps. Dinwiddie expects Barnes to see progressively more time heading into the final two regular season games, likening it to a full preseason for the rookie pivot.

“As a young kid, he’s going to have some ups and downs when he gets out there,” Dinwiddie said earlier this week. “We got him more reps (this week) than he probably needs to get him ready to play in a real football game. He’s done some good things as well when he got out there in some of the mop-up duty. We’re just trying to get him more comfortable with his cadence, the operation, the huddle, that kind of stuff.”

As for the Lions, they’re in the midst of a playoff race, and there’s still much to be decided. They’re currently sitting in second in the West, but their playoff possibilities still range from hosting the West Final to opening their campaign in Toronto as the crossover team.

They’re currently riding a three-game winning streak into the contest and have won eight of their last nine, dating back to July 30. BC took the first meeting between these two teams, riding 164 rushing yards and four touchdowns from Zander Horvath to the 45-24 victory.

The REDBLACKS did a good job earlier in that contest of making life difficult on Nathan Rourke, getting into the offensive backfield a few times, forcing some rushed throws and capitalizing with two first-half interceptions. White led the way on the offensive end for Ottawa, catching eight of 12 targets for 127 yards.

With it being a Friday night game, kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (7 local), and you can catch all of the action on TSN and listen on TSN 1200 and 104, 7.