RedBlacks seek 1st home win against Eskimos; Reilly goes for CFL record

It's still early in the season, but the clock is ticking for Henry Burris and his RedBlacks offense.

Burris returned from a hand injury last week in a 23-20 loss to the Argonauts, when his second of two interceptions sealed the win for a Toronto team deploying a rookie quarterback making his first career start.

After a hot start, which included a Week 1 win over the Eskimos, the RedBlacks have hit a skid, losing their last two contests and the East division lead along with it. With Ottawa on a bye next week and Trevor Harris planning to return on Aug. 19 against the Alouettes, the pressure is on Burris to deliver a win at home.

Meanwhile, the Eskimos are mired in a less-than-ideal start to their Grey Cup title defence, struggling mightily on the defensive end so far this season. Edmonton has managed only eight sacks all year, rank second last in touchdowns conceded and last in yards allowed, surrendering 417.8 per game.

Edmonton's offence conversely, has been near the top of the league led by quarterback Mike Reilly, who's completed 71 percent of his attempts, throwing for 1926 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Reilly has recorded eight straight 300-plus yard regular-season games, which is just one shy of the CFL record set by Sam Etcheverry in 1956 and Kent Austin in 1991.