LIVESTREAM CFL: Ottawa REDBLACKS @Saskatchewan Roughriders, June 6, 03:00 CET (3 am, 9 pm June 5 ET)

| American Football | 06/05/2025

The 2025 Canadian Football League season kicks off at Mosaic Stadium as the Ottawa REDBLACKS (0-0) visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0) in a clash of teams aiming to build on promising 2024 campaigns. Both squads finished 9-8-1 last year, with Ottawa falling in the Eastern Semifinal and Saskatchewan advancing to the Western Final, setting the stage for a high-stakes opener.

Ottawa REDBLACKS: Offensive ambitions
Quarterback Dru Brown begins his second season as Ottawa’s starter after a standout 2024, throwing for 3,959 yards and 18 touchdowns. The REDBLACKS’ will rally behind receiver Eugene Lewis, who opens 2025 riding an eight-game touchdown streak—two shy of Terry Evanshen’s 1968 record. Rookie sensation Kalil Pimpleton, who led the CFL with 89.4 receiving yards per game in 2024, adds explosive potential alongside Lewis.

The ground game features William Stanback, needing 109 rushing yards to reach 5,000 career yards, and Daniel Adeboboye. Their ability to balance Ottawa’s offense against Saskatchewan’s defense will be critical. Defensively, linemen Michael Wakefield and Lorenzo Mauldin IV (eight sacks each last season) anchor the front seven, while defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., who tied for the league lead with eight interceptions in 2024, headlines a secondary tasked with limiting Roughriders’ quarterback Trevor Harris’ efficiency.

Watch live. Ottawa REDBLACKS @Saskatchewan Roughriders, June 6, 03:00 CET (3 am, 9 pm June 5 ET)

Saskatchewan Roughriders: Road test for veteran leadership
Trevor Harris, entering his 13th CFL season at age 39, faces an early challenge against Ottawa’s aggressive pass rush. His connection with Samuel Emilus (two straight 1,000-yard seasons) and emerging receivers KeeSean Johnson (746 rookie yards) must compensate for the absence of injured star Shawn Bane Jr. Running back AJ Ouellette, limited to eight games in 2024 due to hip issues, seeks durability against Ottawa’s stout defensive front.

Defensively, the Roughriders’ secondary, led by Milligan’s counterpart Dohnte Meyers, must contain Pimpleton and Lewis. Special teams could tilt momentum, with Ottawa’s Lewis Ward (88.0% career FG accuracy) and returner DeVonte Dedmon (three career kick-return TDs) posing threats.

Key Storylines and Milestones

  • Stanback’s pursuit of 5,000 career rushing yards.
  • Lewis’s chase of Evanshen’s TD streak record.
  • Saskatchewan’s 2024 dominance over Ottawa (1-0-1), including a Week 17 win.

Injury notes
Ottawa will be without defensive back Justin Howell (foot) and receiver Nick Mardner (knee). Saskatchewan lists linebacker C.J. Avery as questionable.

With playoff aspirations on the line, the Roughriders aim to leverage home-field energy against Ottawa’s seasoned core in a battle of offensive innovation and defensive resilience.

Watch live. Ottawa REDBLACKS @ Saskatchewan Roughriders, June 6, 03:00 CET (3 am, 9 pm June 5 ET)

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