As a follow-up to Monday night’s CFL preseason opener, we’re taking a look at the top six performers from the Tiger-Cat’s game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Other than quarterback Jeff Mathews, who recorded 188 yards and two touchdown passes on 9 of 15 passing, here are six players who had notable performances on Monday night.
1. WR, Matt Coates
The Canadian wideout received praise from coach Austin for his understanding of the team’s offence earlier in camp, and the young receiver proved worthy of that praise on Monday night.
Coates got open for two receptions on Monday night, each one for 20 yards or more. The first reception saw Coates score a touchdown on a 23-yard slant play from Jeff Mathews, while the second one came on a 20-yard pass from Jacory Harris.
With his performance, Coates made a strong case for a depth spot on the Ticats roster.
2. K, Justin Medlock
Justin Medlock was Mr. Consistent on Monday night, putting kick after kick through the uprights. Medlock successfully made all three field goals he attempted, hitting from 32, 37 and 32 yards in succession.
In addition to the three field goals, Medlock converted on all four extra points from the new, longer distance of 32 yards.
Medlock had concerns about kicking after a quick defensive or special teams touchdown, coming off the bench cold, but he had no problem converting following Quincy McDuffie’s return touchdown on the first play of the third quarter.
3. DE, Adrian Tracy
REDBLACKS quarterbacks won’t forget Adrian Tracy’s performance on Monday night. Tracy wreaked havoc in the Ottawa backfield in the second half of last night’s game, bringing down two separate quarterbacks for three total sacks.
With 2:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tracy registered sacks on two consecutive plays, wrapping up REDBLACKS quarterback Brock Jensen both times, forcing Ottawa into a third and very long situation.
Along with his three sacks, Tracy registered two tackles against the run and generated consistent pressure throughout the game.
4. S, Mike Daly
Monday night was an eventful one for Mike Daly, who was involved in creating two turnovers for the Ticats— one of which was called back on a penalty— and seemed to be all over the field making plays.
Early in the second quarter, Daly laid a big hit on a REDBLACKS receiver, knocking the ball out of his grasp and forcing an interception. Ticats defensive back Cleshawn Page tracked the ball down in the air, but the play was called back for offsides on Hamilton.
Daly was rewarded later in the same quarter, though, when he intercepted a tipped pass over the middle and returned it for 21 yards.
The second-year safety played admirably in the stead of starter Craig Butler, putting the depth of the Ticats secondary on display.
5. LB, Dan Molls
Dan Molls got the start as the Tiger-Cats middle linebacker on Monday night, and he made an impact with his play.
Molls made seven total tackles over the course of the game, making five stops on defence and two on special teams.
The most notable of his tackles came on former Tiger-Cat Chevon Walker, bringing him down in the backfield for a one-yard loss. In a group full of young linebackers competing behind Simoni Lawrence and Taylor Reed, Molls took some strides in the right direction on Monday.
6. WR/KR, Quincy McDuffie
Quincy McDuffie was one illegal blocking penalty away from notching 225 yards in the return game.
McDuffie did not register a catch on offence for the ‘Cats, but he opened up the second half of the game with a bang, taking the opening kickoff of the half 98 yards for a touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, McDuffie had fans on their feet again, capitalizing on some space and taking a punt 105 yards to pay-dirt. A flag for an illegal block brought the play back, leaving McDuffie with 23 punt return yards on the night, but the third-year receiver certainly showed just how lethal he could be when given space in the return game.
