Dynamic duo fuels Ottawa’s fire
Harris-to-Williams combo on pace to crush CFL records if they keep up hot start
The Ottawa Redblacks (2-0-1) are the only unbeaten team in the CFL, led by quarterback Trevor Harris and wide receiver Chris Williams, who are making history together.
The Toronto Argonauts (2-1) hope to slow that assault Wednesday at BMO Field.
“I’m having a blast,” Harris told the Star. “Chris is the kind of guy you can do so many things with because of his speed. When we succeed, we all succeed.”
The five-foot-eight, 175-pound Williams has racked up 493 receiving yards — the quickest three-game start in CFL history, topping Alfred Jackson’s 483 yards for Winnipeg in 1994.
Williams is on track to finish with almost 3,000 yards, which would shatter the mark (2,036) set by Allen Pitts in 1994. With six TD receptions, he’s on pace for 36 to break Milt Stegall’s mark of 23 set in 2002.
He won a CFL player of the week honour Tuesday for the third time in as many weeks, with 130 yards and three touchdowns against Calgary.
Harris has lit up teams for 1,083 yards, which puts him on a pace to reach 6,498 and approach Doug Flutie’s record of 6,619 set in 1991. With nine throwing touchdowns, Harris is going at a 54-TD clip, which would easily surpass Flutie’s record of 48 set in 1994.
“They’ve been fun to watch,” Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said.
This combination had instant chemistry, with Harris firing a 71yard TD pass to Williams on Harris’s first play from scrimmage in the season opener after QB Henry Burris was injured in the third quarter.
The secret is Harris has “shown great touch on his deep ball,” Campbell said. “We wanted to make sure we throw deep enough to Chris every game so, No. 1, you can complete deep balls and, No. 2, because it backs people off.”
Argos coach Scott Milanovich warns his team’s defence can’t just focus on Williams.
“It may start there (with Harris to Williams), but they’re very well-balanced,” Milanovich said. “They’re highly intelligent. I know this from talking with (Edmonton coach Jason) Maas. Williams is getting all of the attention right now and he should be because of the way that he’s playing. He has speed that’s probably unmatched in our league and that’s a problem. But if all you do is focus on him . . . what’d they have, four, five 1,000-yard receivers? They could easily go elsewhere and hurt you.”
Harris downplays the head-to-head matchup with Ray, his former teammate and mentor.
“Ricky and I have talked about this in the past,” Harris said. “We just joke around. But this is not about him and I. It’s about us matching up against their tough defence and their offence going against our defence.”
Meanwhile, Burris remains the starter in absentia.
“Trevor is the guy filling in for him, and that’s where we are right now,” Campbell said.
THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Edmonton (1-1) at Winnipeg (1-2) Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
This could be an air show, Mike Reilly versus Drew Willy. The Eskimos boast the No.1attack in the CFL, aided by wide receiver Adarius Bow-
man’s having illustriousa monster play, season, while ranked Willy No.is 2 behind Harris. The Blue Bombers showed consistency by putting together several impressive drives in beating the Ticats 28-24. The Bombers are in the hunt to win two games in a row for the first time since 2014. Hamilton (1-2) at Montreal (1-1) Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Zach Collaros returned to practice this week, but for now this is still Jeremiah Masoli’s team. Montreal won’t have receiver S.J. Green (season-ending knee injury) or Kenny Stafford (broken toe) and may not have Duron Carter (one-game league suspension, under appeal). Montreal’s offence is already ranked last in the CFL, and QB Kevin Glenn is battling eye inflammation. The Ticats have been sloppy (six turnovers the last game). B.C. (2-1) at Saskatchewan (0-2) Saturday, 7 p.m.
Despite having allowed only 15.3 points per game, the Lions continue to sputter on offence. How will QB Jonathon Jennings respond after being pulled against the Argos? Roughriders QB Darian Durant posted his second straight 300-yard passing performance.
Were it not for some short-yardage failures, the Riders would be better than 0-2.