Redblacks coach LaPolice: ‘We believe good things are coming to this club’

Late in the third quarter of a 30-12 loss to the Edmonton Elks on Friday, Ottawa Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice decided it was time to make a change at quarterback.

Second-year pivot Caleb Evans rushed 21 yards for a touchdown on the second drive of the game, but the Redblacks’ offence dried up from there.

After Evans was sacked with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, LaPolice knew it was time to go in a different direction.

“He was moving the ball pretty well early in the first quarter ... but we've got to be more consistent,” LaPolice told TSN 1200 on Monday. “You can't be great in the first quarter and then have a bad second quarter or a bad third quarter. So, that's what we want to make sure we focus on.”

Edmonton then embarked on a 15-play, 80-yard drive that prevented Ottawa from turning to backup Nick Arbuckle sooner. Arbuckle eventually entered the game with about six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. 

LaPolice is now leaving the door open for Arbuckle to start in a rematch with the Elks in Edmonton on Saturday.

“We'll address that as the practices go, but we're certainly looking at all options to make sure we can play better - whether it's offence, defence or special teams.”

Arbuckle, 28, was acquired in a trade with the Elks shortly after Jeremiah Masoli was injured in a game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 5. Masoli suffered a leg injury on a hit from Roughriders defensive lineman Garrett Marino and hasn’t played since.

The Redblacks are now 1-8 in 2022 and own the worst record in the CFL. LaPolice was asked about the morale of his team heading into the second half of the season.

“Obviously we're very frustrated,” said LaPolice. “The day after the game, everyone is