‘A GENUINE DISLIKE’: Jaelon Acklin not a fan of TO as Redblacks look to beat Argos for first win

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TORONTO – Ottawa Redblacks receiver Jaelon Acklin says he doesn’t like Toronto. Or his CFL team — the Argonauts.

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It has a lot to do with the fact that he spent the last two seasons as Hamilton’s Tiger-Cat; there’s just something about the Hamilton-Toronto rivalry that brings out bad feelings between the cities and their fans. With the Redblacks in Toronto to face the Argonauts on Sunday, Acklin says he’s not a fan of the Double Blues. Or single blue. Or whatever shade of blue opposing players will be wearing in Sunday’s game.

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« There’s a real aversion, » Acklin said. “I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Hamilton, but they don’t like Toronto. When I got there it was, ‘Fine, I won’t like Toronto.’ So now I don’t really like them at all.

At this point, the Redblacks should be enemies of equal opportunity. With an 0-6 start to the season in the CFL, there can’t be much love for any of the other eight teams. On Sunday, the Ottawa team must focus on the Argos, who hold first place in the Eastern Division with a 3-2 record. Sandwiched between Toronto and Ottawa, Hamilton and Montreal have two wins.

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« We think our backs are against the wall and we have to do something, » Acklin said. “We can either lie down and feel sorry for ourselves or, as I said after the game against Hamilton, we have to show up. We need to stop talking about it and actually take action. You can’t be afraid to fail, we have nothing to lose. Nobody thinks we’re going to win, they canceled the season for us. I hope we come out and prove them wrong.

It doesn’t seem right to start labeling games as « must-wins ». But we are coming to this point in the season for the Rouge et Noir, who cannot afford for the teams ahead of them in the standings to put a little distance between them.

« We have to win this game, it’s as simple as that, » Redblacks linebacker SAM Patrick Levels said. « I’m in playoff mode. If we keep doing what we’re doing – just getting closer – it won’t be good enough. We have to find a way to win by one point. It doesn’t have to be pretty, I don’t care what it looks like – as long as after this game we go home with a W. It’s not about trying to win. We must refuse to lose. I feel like once we win a game, the momentum will turn in our favour. There is a bit of doubt because we haven’t done it yet. But once we’ve done that, the team is there.

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On a personal level, Acklin is off to a great start. He has 543 receiving yards (and a touchdown) and is on pace for over 1,500 yards all season. But throw individual stats out the window when you’re a player on a team struggling to find a win.

“You have to look in the mirror,” he says. « Each of us individually can improve. And it starts with me. I can’t help but do anything else, but I know I can put us in better positions. I’m here to win games; I’m not here to have a bunch of receiving yards and touchdowns. I’m only really satisfied if we win football games.

After losing starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to a leg injury three weeks ago against Saskatchewan, the Redblacks turned to Caleb Evans, who looked much more comfortable in the 40-0 loss. -33 against Montreal last week. He is able to use his legs along with his arm to produce positive footage. The loss of Masoli – who could return to the lineup later this season – was huge. His leadership is still being felt.

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« Everything I do is for Masoli because I know how much he wishes he could be here, » Acklin said. « I try to go out every day with the same tenacity as him. I try to match his passion and energy for the game. I also love playing with Caleb — he throws a good ball, he’s smart — c is a very good quarterback.

SECOND AND LONG:

Asked about former Ticats teammate Brandon Banks, Acklin smiled and said, “Speedy is still my dog. He was the first guy I saw in this league who could really take control of games. He’s a super versatile guy, a funny guy off the pitch if you ever talk to him. He’s a guy I always look up to. I can not wait to see it. I’ll probably talk to him a bit if I get the chance, but it’ll be friendly – I love Speedy. When asked if he could have a good chat with Argos defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis, another former Ticats teammate, Acklin replied: I’ll tell JG a bit about that as well. I still love those guys, they’re my brothers from Hamilton.

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THE END AROUND:

QB Nick Arbuckle has been moved to the one-game injured list (he’s listed as an illness), which brings Tyrie Adams back into the lineup as a replacement for Caleb Evans… Alonzo Addae starts safely, backed by Antoine Pruneau…DB Abdul Kanneh, WR Ryan Davis, RB Brendan Gillanders and DL Nigel Romick return to Ottawa roster…Redblacks six loserss, five came by seven points or less. Ottawa has outscored its opponent in the fourth quarter only once… Argos QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson has thrown at least one interception in each of his last 11 starts (the CFL record is Ron’s 19 straight games). Lancaster)… Argos receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., who is from Ottawa, recorded a career-high 152 yards last week, catching all eight passes thrown at him… Rougenoir DL Lorenzo Mauldin IV has five of his six sacks in the last three games… Ottawa allowed 71 points in the second quarter; in their last three games, the opponents have scored 19, 17 and 18 points.