Redblacks' LaPolice: 'We've got to find ways to get into the end zone'

Coming off a loss 24-19 to the Toronto Argonauts at home, Ottawa Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice joined TSN1200 Ottawa on Monday to reflect on the performance of his team.

"The first quarter wasn't great for us," said LaPolice. 

"We got a penalty on our first offensive play to back you up - a 10-yard penalty - and then the second time we go out, we get a penalty again, so we put ourselves in a couple bad situations - we hadn't been penalized a lot this year, and then we start off the bat that way. Toronto (then) has a 10-play, 95-yard drive to score a touchdown...that's what I didn't like: how we started that game. 

On the topic of Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 290 yards and an interception, LaPolice spoke candidly on the offence's performance. 

Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice on Friday Night's loss, Nick Arbuckle's performance, getting Jaelon Acklin and DeVonte Dedmon the ball and not going for it on 3rd down.

"I think in the second quarter, he kind of missed a read or two and I know he threw his first pick in two or three games. We just have to make sure we can get some pictures he can see; I thought he brought us back in the second half, I thought he saw the field well, he was moving the ball well but we've got to find ways to get into the end zone." 

A significant factor for the Redblacks' sputtering offence in the first half was the lack of targets to the Canadian Football League's leading receiver Jaelon Acklin. 

Acklin finished with five receptions for 62 yards with his first reception coming in the second half, something LaPolice said was dictated by the troubles they had in the first half.

"Him not getting a target in the first quarter, I don't know when you only have a couple of plays in the first quarter