Reed takes team lead in tackles in another strong game
Ticats linebacker Taylor Reed was a key performer for the Black and Gold defence again on Sunday, making seven tackles in the game. Reed’s seven tackles moved him to 77 on the season, giving him an outright lead on the team’s tackles list. The most impressive stop of the day was a big open-field tackle against Chris Williams, in which Reed tracked the shifty receiver’s movements one-on-one and brought him down five yards short of the first-down marker to solidify great field position for the Ticats’ ensuing drive. Although it’s gone unnoticed by many, the high level of play has become standard for the second-year linebacker who has been a rock in the middle of the field for Hamilton.
Banks gets involved on offence
Speedy B was more involved in the offensive game plan than any other game this season, garnering eight touches on six receptions and two carries. Banks gained the second-most total yards of any Ticats player on the day, racking up 73 yards on his eight touches. The dangerous specialist was not afforded much to work with in the return game, gaining just 22 yards on two returns. The Redblacks kept the ball out of Banks’ hands on special teams for the most part, but the Ticats made a clear effort to get their dynamic receiver the ball on offence and he rewarded that with production.
Page flashes talent in third career game
In his third career CFL game at cornerback for the Ticats, Cleshawn Page flashed some of the considerable talent that he holds. Page dropped a potential interception in the second quarter of the game, but the rookie defensive back played strong all day, providing tight coverage on Redblacks’ receivers and making a couple big hits on ball-carriers. The revolving door at corner may continue moving forward for the Ticats, but Page put a good foot forward with his performance on Sunday night.
Stewart comes up big twice in the fourth quarter
Brandon Stewart had quite the afternoon against the Redblacks on Sunday, ending the day with a team-high eight tackles and making two huge plays in coverage. Following a fourth-quarter red-zone interception by Jeff Mathews, Stewart returned the favour to the Redblacks, going way up to pick off a Henry Burris sideline pass. Stewart took the ball all the way to the house, a touchdown that was eventually negated by two penalties on the return.
In the same quarter, Stewart stepped up yet again, providing lockdown coverage on his man, knocking down a slant pass that would have given the Redblacks a key first down. The pass breakup forced Ottawa to punt and returned the ball to the Ticats offence for a final shot at winning the game. The penalties hurt the outcome of the first play, and the failure to score on the final drive minimized the significance of the knockdown; however, neither outcome detracted from the value of Stewart’s impact plays.
