REDBLACKS’ Coach Campbell praises team’s resiliency in close win

MONTREAL – Last week, REDBLACKS Head Coach Rick Campbell was lamenting ‘negative football,’ plays in which his team suffered from self-inflicted wounds in a loss against the BC Lions.

This week, Campbell is singing a much different tune after watching his team grind out a tough, low-scoring victory against a divisional opponent in hostile territory.

“We did a lot of tough stuff in this game, to win against an East Division opponent on the road is a huge win for us,” said Campbell after the 19-14 victory. “There’s always going to be stuff to correct and get better at, but coming into the fourth quarter and making the plays necessary to win the game is what good football teams in this league do. They find ways to win games.”

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That the REDBLACKS won despite a rather pedestrian effort from their offence – QB Trevor Harris called the game his “worst performance” of the season – was not lost on Campbell, nor was the fact that Harris thought so little of his performance.

“I think a lot of our guys have high expectations which is a good thing,” he said. “There’s stuff we need to work on but I’m proud of our fight, I’m proud of hanging in there and finding out how to grind out a win.

This is going to be the story of the CFL,” Campbell continued. “Last night it came down to the last play. You’re going to have to be mentally tough and making sure you’re making plays at the end of the game.”

The REDBLACKS will get a break next week as they head on a bye, and return with a tough matchup against the cream of the CFL crop in the Calgary Stampeders.

Sitting at the top of the East Division standings at the halfway point of the season, Campbell seemed satisfied with his team’s performance and growth to date.

“We’ve thrown our hat into the ring,” he said. “We’re looking forward to these last eight games.”