Aug 3, 2015; Hamilton, Ontario, CAN; Season opener at Tim Hortons Field between the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski
Collaros efficient, dialled in
Zach Collaros was dialled in tonight, connecting on 78% of his passes, while throwing for three touchdowns. The Ticats quarterback completed his first nine passes on the night, and rarely missed one for the remainder of the game, ending with 21 completions on 27 attempts.
Collaros looked poised in the pocket, moving around with ease and creating things on the fly when needed. Monday night’s game was the fourth time in his career that the Hamilton pivot has thrown for at least three touchdowns in a single game, yet he did not cross the 250-yard barrier. The sheer volume of Collaros’ passing numbers were by no means gaudy, but they paint a picture of very high efficiency from the Hamilton quarterback.
Special teams plays big role from start to finish
The special teams unit on the Ticats had a big impact in Monday’s home opener. Defensive back Brandon Stewart lined up onside for Hugh O’Neill’s first punt of the game, and in a rare sequence of events, the Ticats defender raced downfield, picked up the ball and waltzed into the end zone for six. That touchdown kicked off the game on a high note for the Ticats, a note which resounded throughout the rest of the game.
Stewart’s touchdown was not the special teams’ only contribution in the game; Beau Landry brought the crowd to their feet with a couple big hits, while the unit as a whole provided very strong coverage on punts and kickoffs.
Bakari Grant big red-zone target
Zach Collaros found receiver Bakari Grant in the end zone twice on Monday night, one from 16 yards out, and the other from inside the five-yard line. Grant got wide open on the first touchdown, without an Argos defender in sight, and snagged his second score on a back-shoulder throw from Collaros.
The veteran receiver has been on a tear to start the 2015 season, improving his totals to 21 receptions, 312 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the home opener. Grant’s value as a red zone target on Monday night was vital to the team’s success, and his continued ability to produce at this level is a large part of what has made the Ticats passing offence so potent.
Woodson fills in well in CJ Gable’s absence
When CJ Gable went down early in the game with an injury, the Ticats running game may have appeared to be in trouble; however national running back Anthony Woodson filled in admirably in his stead. In his first Hamilton home game, Woodson rushed for 54 yards on 10 rush attempts on the night, running hard between and outside the tackles. The outlook on CJ’s injury is unclear, but the Ticats running game will be in strong hands as long as Woodson is in the lineup.
Norwood, Tasker make themselves known in return to lineup
Two Ticats starters turned heads in their returns to the field, as both Eric Norwood and Luke Tasker saw their first action of 2015. Norwood recorded a team-high eight tackles on the night to go along with one sack and a forced fumble. The Ticats defensive end was all over the field on the night, wreaking havoc in the backfield and playing strong against the run.
Tasker also shone in his return for the Black and Gold, reeling in seven passes for 73 yards against the Argos secondary. In his first game of 2015, Tasker was a consistent and reliable target for his quarterback, and the duo looked like they haven’t lost a step in his absence.
Washington steps up, locks down in first action against former team
After spending the 2014 season on the Argos roster, Donald Washington was cut by the team in training camp, but he was able to find a home on the Ticats defence. Washington began Monday night’s game with a statement, bringing down quarterback Trevor Harris with a booming sack. He wrapped up the game with seven tackles, a couple of pass defences and another near sack, making a big impact against his former team.
