Masoli gets to re-live Grey Cup heartache in opener vs Bombers

Before starting anew, Jeremiah Masoli will have to re-live his Grey Cup disappointment.

Masoli will make his 52nd career CFL start Friday night with a new team, the Ottawa Redblacks. The veteran quarterback went to the capital in February after being released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Masoli, 33, spent eight seasons with Hamilton, registering 27 regular-season victories as the starter. He was the East Division’s outstanding player in 2018 and a member of three Ticats teams that reached the Grey Cup.

Unfortunately, all were losses, including the last two CFL title games to Winnipeg (2019, ‘21). Friday night, the Blue Bombers will unveil their Grey Cup banner.

Pick: Winnipeg.

ALS @ STAMPS (THURSDAY)

At Calgary, the Stampeders look to avoid last year’s dismal 1-4 start and resume their winning ways at McMahon Stadium after going 3-4 there in 2021. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell has battled injuries the last two years and had more interceptions (13) than TDs (10) in ‘21 but is a two-time Grey Cup champion and CFL MVP who has won 84 of 106 career CFL starts. Vernon Adams Jr. (17-10 record) starts for Montreal but William Stanback — who ran for a league-high 1,176 yards last year — was limited in practice this week with an ankle injury.

Pick: Calgary.

TICATS @ RIDERS (SATURDAY)

At Regina, two teams that protected the ball well last year square off. Hamilton finished tied with Winnipeg for fewest turnovers (20) while Saskatchewan was tied with B.C. for third (23). Riders starter Cody Fajardo looks to improve his career record to 22-8 with a win, which would give him the seventh-best mark in league history after 30 starts. Hamilton’s Dane Evans will start his 15th regular-season game and the 19th of his CFL career (12-6 overall record) but the Ticats are 2-11 in season openers since ‘08.

Pick: Saskatchewan.

ELKS @ LIONS (SATURDAY)

At Vancouver, Victoria native Nathan Rourke opens as the Lions’ No. 1 quarterback, the first time since Gerry Dattilio with Calgary in 1983 that a Canadian began a campaign as the starter. Rourke started B.C.’s first game last year, but was listed as the backup behind veteran Michael Reilly, who didn’t start due to an elbow ailment. The Lions are 4-9 in season openers since ‘08. Edmonton coach Chris Jones is 7-5 versus B.C. and is 53-37 overall, but the Elks enter the season with a league-high 16 rookies.

Pick: B.C.