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“We want to make sure we give the new guys, particularly the new guys we don’t know as well, a fair evaluation — part of that is letting them play a significant amount of time. But it’s fully our intention to go out, compete and try to win this game.”

The Ticats’ starting quarterback, Zach Collaros, will be in Ottawa but is not expected to play. Starting the game at QB for Hamilton will be Jeremiah Masoli with third-stringer Everett Golson, the former Notre Dame pivot, also expected to see plenty of action. Among those missing from the Hamilton lineup will be receiver Terrence Toliver, defensive lineman Ted Laurent, running back C.J. Gable and linebacker Simoni Lawrence.

As for getting a good look at several non-starters, Ticats head coach Kent Austin told reporters: “It’s not just an evaluation, we need to develop depth.”

Redblacks starting quarterback Trevor Harris will be in there at least to start the game, but Campbell said: “It probably won’t be for a long time.”

“I just love the process … I enjoy all of it,” said Harris. “I enjoy the grind of training camp, I enjoy the off-season where I’m getting myself ready, I enjoy the tuneup pre-season games — you don’t treat it like a pre-season game, it’s not like you try less hard. We’re going to come out here and play (Thursday). We’re excited about it.”

Speaking about a Redblacks offence that lost explosive receiver Chris Williams and one of the league’s most dependable pass-catchers in Ernest Jackson, Harris said: “We’re very, very talented. We’re very deep. I don’t know that we have a true weakness. It would be fun to see if we can run the ball, get downhill on them, get the ball out quick, see if we can win in man coverage. You just want to see where you’re at.”