LaPolice: Redblacks ‘control their destiny’ heading into key matchup against Argos

The Ottawa Redblacks have won two straight games after Friday’s Labour Day weekend victory over the Montreal Alouettes. 

The dominant 38-24 showing brought the Redblacks’ record to 3-8 and the club now sits just two points out of a playoff spot heading into Week 14. Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice says that improvements on both sides of the ball have led to the team’s recent surge.

“I thought our defence did an outstanding job getting takeaways. Offensively we were able to move the ball. We ended up kicking a few too many field goals but we were able to drive the length of the field, flip the field, and put ourselves into scoring position,” said LaPolice on TSN1200.  We've been really good with protecting the football ourselves. When you do things winning teams do, you should win.”

Nick Arbuckle has started at quarterback over the Redblacks’ two-game winning streak, taking over the starting job from Caleb Evans. The 28-year-old has tossed for 522 yards over that span, including 313 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s win over the Als.

LaPolice says Arbuckle has done a great job avoiding pressure and allowing the offence to stay on the field with timely throws, adding that the team has worked with the Oxnard, Calif., native to tailor the playbook to his strengths.

“He processes well. He's seeing the pictures and has certainly been able to climb and move in the pocket and find the next throw and keep us on the field when the protection breaks down,” said LaPolice. 

“When you go through this process of playing multiple quarterbacks, now you're just trying to figure out the different strengths. You'd like to open up the playbook but you're just trying to see and mimic what he does well and call more of that. I'm trying to