Redblacks name Will Arndt the starter at quarterback

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Ottawa Redblacks have named Will Arndt the starting quarterback.

Arndt has yet to start a CFL game, but he has seen action four times in 2019. He’s completed 20-of-36 attempts for 185 yards with no touchdown against two interceptions and rushed six times for 31 yards. The offence did appear to have a little more energy with the 26-year-old on the field.

Ottawa originally signed Arndt in September 2017. He spent the entire 2018 season as a backup behind Trevor Harris without taking a snap in-game. For parts of three seasons Arndt has been developing in the nation’s capital.

Arndt set Western Connecticut State University records for passing which included: most passing yards in a career (7,940); total offensive yards (9,248); passing touchdowns (73) and total touchdowns (91).

The Redblacks could use a boost of any kind on offence because the unit has scored a league-low 238 points and struggled to find any consistency on offence. The six-foot-five, 215-pound pivot has impressed head coach Rick Campbell.

“He’s got a lot of tools, that’s why we’ve had him here the last couple years is we think he’s a guy that’s got potential. A pretty good-sized guy with a good arm and as you can see he can run a little bit too, which is good to see,” Campbell said.

“I know that he’s kind of a football junkie guy, he loves the game and loves earning about the game. He has limited CFL experience, but we think he’s a guy that’s definitely got tools to develop.”

Dominique Davis started the season as the No. 1 QB, but after throwing 14 interceptions and going 3-5 as the starter Jon Jennings was installed as the main man behind centre.

Jennings’ record as the starting QB for the Redblacks is 0-6. He’s thrown more interceptions than touchdowns 3-7 during his time in Ottawa so far.

Arndt is the third quarterback to start for Ottawa in a disastrous 3-11 season, but finding out what he can do with extended playing time could provide a bright spot for the future.