Six Pack: Standout performers in the Ticats loss to the Stampeders

Banks makes a return to the box-score
After a five-game stretch without a punt return touchdown, Brandon Banks made his mark in Friday night’s game with his fourth return TD of the season. Banks is now just one touchdown shy of the CFL record for punt return touchdowns in a single season, chasing the mark set by former Ticats returner and receiver Chris Williams in 2012. Banks’ touchdown was the only major of the night for the Ticats until the fourth quarter as he proved again that all he needs is a little bit of room to create magic with the football.

Davis continues stellar performance
Emanuel Davis continues to be the talk of the Ticats defence and that talk is certainly well-earned. Davis was a defensive force yet again on Friday, totalling four tackles in the game and adding two pass knockdowns. The third-year defensive back’s second knockdown came on a key 2nd-and-4 with 53 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, stalling the Stampeders drive and forcing them to settle for a field goal. On top of the tackles and knockdowns, Davis added a forced fumble to his 2015 turnover total. The halfback has proven to be a game-changer over and over again this season and his performance on Friday night was evidence of that yet again.
Bryan Hall with back-to-back impact plays
Bryan Hall had a very respectable game on the Ticats defensive line on Friday night, making multiple impact plays in the game for the Black and Gold. Hall was a nuisance to the Stampeders offence all night long, batting down two passes at the line of scrimmage and another one over the middle of the field which he nearly brought down for an interception. Hall broke through on an early fourth-quarter field goal attempt as well, blocking the 43-yard attempt from Paredes to hold the Stamps to a four-point lead. The second-year defensive tackle plays one of the most thankless positions in football, but his standout play has made him noticed on more than one occasion in 2015.
Medlock shows off big leg

Ticats kicker Justin Medlock tied his career-long field goal on Friday night, connecting on a 57-yard attempt in the first quarter. Medlock’s kick was significant not only on the scoreboard, but was also a major contributor to the Kicks For Kids program, presented by Carmen’s Group. The program which provides underprivileged kids with shoes received a $170 boost thanks to the lengthy kick. Medlock faced criticism for a short late-game punt, but the Hamilton kicker made a number of solid punts in the face of tricky winds throughout the night.
Mathews and Ford flash talent down stretch
Trailing by four points with under seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Jeff Mathews elevated his game to bring the Ticats back into the lead. Mathews led Hamilton on a 75-yard drive, connecting on both of his passes for 70 yards. On 2nd-and-5 the rookie quarterback evaded pressure from the Stampeders’ defensive line, stepping up in the pocket and distributing the ball to a wide open Michael Ford. The Ticats running back was off to the races, breaking free for a 59-yard gain, all the way to the Stampeders 1-yard line. Mathews punched the ball into the end zone on the following play, putting the Ticats up by three points. The lead would eventually be erased by the Stampeders, but the poise shown by Mathews on a critical drive was a glimpse of what the Ticats offence can accomplish with him at the helm moving forward.
Ford breathes life into running game
Michael Ford was somewhat of a surprise start for the Ticats on Friday night after spending nine weeks away from the team. Ford, who spent the last nine weeks in Atlanta with the NFL’s Falcons, returned to Hamilton this week and made an instant impact at the running back position. Ford rushed for 50 yards on 10 attempts, averaging five yards per carry, while also adding 67 yards receiving on four receptions. The rookie CFL back stepped up against a tough run defence and made an impact, proving that starting him was no mistake.