Dustin Crum will look to follow up a career-best performance when the Ottawa Redblacks complete a home-and-home series against the BC Lions on Friday in Vancouver.
Crum threw for a career-high 301 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 69 yards and two scores, to help the Redblacks to a 34-33 victory over the Lions last Friday in the nation’s capital.
The physical play of Crum served as an inspiration to Ottawa (4-8), which overcame a 17-point deficit to snap a two-game losing skid and keep its flickering postseason aspirations alive.
“Dusty is a dog,” running back William Stanback said, per the Ottawa Citizen. “From the outside looking in with the other teams I’ve been a part of, I’ve seen how much of a competitor he is and what he brings to the table. I’m just so appreciative to be next to him.”
Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce announced this week that Crum will receive his third straight start with fellow quarterback Dru Brown still working his way back from a knee injury.
“Dustin is going to start this week,” Dyce said. “He’s had a good week of practice, and I’m excited to see him continue his progression.”
Ottawa finds itself with the same record as provincial-rival Toronto, however the Argonauts hold the tiebreaker. Both clubs are one game behind reeling Montreal, a loser of five straight games.
The Lions (5-7) are looking to rebound after losses to the Ontario contingent and shore up a generous defense that has yielded 86 points in that span. They have allowed 29.8 points per game this season.
In a bid to address the issue, the Lions brought back a familiar face Wednesday in defensive back T.J. Lee.
A two-time All-CFL selection, Lee spent 10 seasons with the Lions before being released earlier this year.
Also on Wednesday, the team signed former Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Marquise Bridges.
“We’re inconsistent right now. We’ve got to get the ability to finish,” Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said, per The Province. “You’ve seen us play really, really well at times, and you’ve seen us play poorly at times. We’ve got the talent. We know we can hang with anybody in this league. But consistency is the key.”
–Field Level Media
