Can backup QB Matt Shiltz lead Ottawa Redblacks to first home win over Alouettes since 2018?

Calgary Herald

21 hours ago

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On Friday, the Ottawa Redblacks will try to break a bad habit they've carried for 2,498 days.
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They will attempt to beat the Montreal Alouettes at TD Place for the first time since Aug. 11, 2018.
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For that 24-17 victory seven years ago, Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris completed 44 of 54 passes for 487 yards, but only one touchdown.
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Current Redblacks Eugene Lewis and William Stanback were members of the Alouettes at the time, as was Matt Shiltz, who was a backup QB in his second year in the Canadian Football League.
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Shiltz signed up for the same job with the Redblacks this past winter, but he's been elevated to the starting role for Week 2 of the 2025 season by a hip injury to Dru Brown.
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According to footballdb.com, it will be Shiltz's 90th CFL game, but just his 14th start.
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'It's a great opportunity, obviously,' the 32-year-old former Butler Bulldog said after Thursday's walk-through. 'It's tough seeing Dru go down when you see how much work he puts in and know how much work he puts in during the offseason. But, like any other position in sports, it's a 'next man up' mentality, and we really have that team environment, not only in the whole locker room, but especially in the quarterback room.
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'We know how much work we all put in, and in that quarterback room the thought is that we're better together, that it kind of takes a village to make the game plan each week and get out there and compete. So we're all excited.'
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Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams will emerge from offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell's QB room as available backups, while Brown will not dress for the game.
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Over his CFL career, Shiltz has completed 64.2 per cent of his passes for 4,795 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 20 interceptions.
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Listed as two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier than Brown, the 6-1, 210-pound Shiltz has also shown he is capable of doing damage with his legs.
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In 10 games with the Calgary Stampeders last season, he had 14 carries for 133 yards and a touchdown.
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'I think they're a great complement together,' said Lewis, who could write a great storyline of his own by tying the all-time CFL record with at least one TD catch in 10 consecutive games. 'I played with Shiltz in Montreal for a few games. He's probably one of the only quarterbacks I've had multiple touchdowns with in one game … two bombs against Toronto. I know what he's capable of. He's going to play ball. He's going to give us a chance, an opportunity to help him and help our team.