After finishing the season off with a 44-28 loss in Ottawa, the Tiger-Cats return home on Sunday to host the East Semi-Final against the Toronto Argonauts.
Both teams enter the game with 10-8 regular season records; however, the game is hosted in Hamilton thanks to the Ticats 3-0 record against the Argos in 2015.
The Ticats won the first game of the season series in their Week Six home opener, jumping out to an early lead on a Brandon Stewart onside punt recovery touchdown and never looking back. In a game that featured the league’s only lightning delay this season, the Ticats’ offence took awhile to hit their groove. Bakari Grant’s second-quarter touchdown reception opened the floodgates though, as Grant would finish the game with two of Zach Collaros’ three touchdown passes. CJ Gable and Andy Fantuz each suffered major injuries in the game, sidelining both of the offensive starters for a significant chunk of the season. Two red zone stands by the Ticats defence in the fourth quarter– both of which ended on broken-up third-down passes to the end zone– allowed the Black and Gold to hold on for a 34-18 victory.
The Labour Day Classic was the second meeting between the two clubs this season, a second straight meeting at Tim Hortons Field. The Ticats’ offence exploded for 508 yards of total offence and 42 points in the game, jumping out to a 27-1 first-half lead. Zach Collaros connected with Terrence Toliver for a touchdown pass under four minutes into the contest, proceeding to toss three more touchdown strikes against the Argos defence. Collaros and Terrell Sinkfield Jr. linked up for two touchdowns, as Sinkfield racked up 110 yards and two scores on five receptions against his former squad. The Black and Gold defence made Trevor Harris’ life difficult all game, limiting the Argos quarterback to just 211 passing yards, while bringing him down in the backfield on four occasions.
Just four days separated the Labour Day Classic from the Ticats and Argos third and final regular season meeting, as the Ticats traveled to Toronto on September 11. The final meeting of the season was much closer than the previous two, as the Ticats edged out the Double Blue by a score of 35-27. Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris had nearly identical stat-lines in the back-and-forth contest that saw the two teams combine for 20 fourth-quarter points. Ticats defensive back Emanuel Davis sealed the deal on the road victory with an interception of Harris on a last-second shot to the end zone.
This afternoon’s East Semi-Final game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Tim Hortons Field. To catch all the action tune into TSN 1, 3 and 5 on TV or listen to the play-by-play on TSN 1150 with Andy McNamara and Coach Sal. To further enhance your game-watching experience sign-up or sign into Ticats All Access and play the special Playoff Edition of the Gameday Predictor Challenge!
NOTABLE NOTES
Takeaways from this week’s Game Notes, provided by the CFL stats crew.
- Since Tim Hortons Field opened in 2014, the Argos have played five games at the stadium and lost all five by a combined margin of 150-59.
- Despite three previous meetings in 2015, both teams will start a different quarterback than they did in any of those games. Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris squared off in all three regular season match-ups, while Jeremiah Masoli and Ricky Ray will get the start for their respective teams in the East Semi-Final.
- Ricky Ray has led the Boatmen to a 3-1 post-season record with his only loss coming against the Ticats in the 2013 East Final.
- Four members of the Ticats coaching staff — Kent Austin, Orlondo Steinauer, James Stanley and Marcello Simmons– spent time with the Argonauts prior to their coaching tenures with the Ticats.
TIGER-CATS PLAYOFF HISTORY AGAINST TORONTO
Playoff History vs. Toronto: 6-10-0
Home Playoff Record vs. Toronto: 3-5-0
Last Home Playoff Game vs. Toronto: The last time the Argos visited Hamilton for a playoff game was in the 2010 East Semi-Final. The Double Blue left the game victorious, posting a 16-13 win at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Last Playoff Game vs. Toronto: The last time the two teams squared off in the post-season was the 2013 East Final in Toronto. The Ticats triumphed over the home-team Argos by a score of 36-24, advancing to the 101st Grey Cup in Regina. Ricky Ray was held to just 5-for-12 passing in the second half of the upset, as current Ticats Zach Collaros and Spencer Watt accounted for the Argos three scores.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Effectively execute multiple looks on defence: Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer spoke this week to the effectiveness of giving the Argos offence multiple looks. He talked about changing up coverages and pass rush combinations to keep the Toronto offence uncomfortable and on their toes. Giving the veteran quarterback as many looks as possible– and executing each one properly– will be a key to stopping Ray and the Argos passing attack on Sunday afternoon.
Win on special teams: In a match-up that looks even on paper, the Ticats must continue to do something that they’ve done all season long– win on special teams. Whether it’s generating points with a blocked kick or a return touchdown, or tipping the scales on the field position battle, the Black and Gold special teams must find a way to make an impact on Sunday’s game.
Win the turnover game: It’s been the recipe all season long for the Ticats: they’ve been even or positive in the turnover department in all 10 of their 2015 wins, while they’ve lost the turnover battle in seven of their eight regular season losses. It would be huge if the Black and Gold can create turnovers on the defensive side of the ball, but more importantly the offence must be safe and responsible with the ball and limit mistakes.
TICATS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Jeremiah Masoli, QB – He’s been the talk of Ticats practice all week, and now he’ll get the chance to shine on Sunday afternoon. Masoli will make just his third CFL start — his first in the playoffs — but he has plenty of big-game experience from his time in both the Pac-10 and SEC in college. The international quarterback has been in the Ticats offensive system for three years now, so he’s familiar with the playbook and will get the chance to prove that against the Argos. The keys to the game for Masoli will be to stay within his element and avoid mistakes, while still embracing the bold and exciting brand of football that he is known for.
- Terrell Sinkfield, WR – Sinkfield was an impact performer in the team’s last two games against the Double Blue, racking up over 200 yards receiving on 12 receptions while adding two touchdowns in the Labour Day Classic. The second-year Ticats receiver recorded his first career 1,000-yard season in 2015 and his electric play has remained consistent over the course of the changes at quarterback. Whether he’s being used in the passing, running or return game, Sinkfield will be called upon to eat up yards for the Ticats offence in the East Semi-Final.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Eric Norwood, DE – Norwood had a big game in Ottawa last week, making his return to the sack column to close the season out at seven, while adding five tackles and an interception against the Redblacks. In his third season in the CFL, Norwood missed a large chunk of time to injuries, but he was one of the unit’s biggest game-changers when healthy. He’ll be called upon to wreak havoc in the backfield against an Argos team that he recorded eight tackles and a sack against in the two teams’ first meeting this year.
- Simoni Lawrence, LB – The Ticats nomination and the East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player is a no-brainer to watch on the defensive front this week. Lawrence has been the Ticats most consistent performer on defence, leading the team in tackles in 2015, while adding five sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Lawrence has been outspoken about the chance to play against one of the best quarterbacks in the CFL; his play will go a long way in slowing down the passing and rushing attacks of the Argos.
ARGOS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Brandon Whitaker, RB – In his seventh season in the CFL, Whitaker ranked fourth in the league with 636 rushing yards, adding 440 receiving yards to reach 1,000 total yards from scrimmage for the fourth time in his career. Whitaker was quiet in the first two Ticats-Argos match-ups in 2015, rushing for just 22 yards on six carries; however, he was a big factor in the much closer and final battle between the two teams. The veteran back totalled 44 yards and scored two touchdowns in the game, accounting for 12 of the Argos 27 points.
- Tori Gurley, WR – Gurley finished the season tied for the league-lead in touchdowns with 10, falling just short of the 800-yard receiving mark in his rookie season. The rookie receiver posted 16 receptions for 199 yard and two touchdowns in three games against Hamilton this season, including his first career 100-yard game in the third meeting. With Kevin Elliott out of the lineup, Gurley’s production becomes more important for the Argos offence; he’ll be a receiver that the Ticats must key on and shut down.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Cleyon Laing, DL – Laing has been an impact player on defence for the Argos, recording nine sacks, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 2015. The Boatmen’s defensive line has improved over the course of the season, recording 18 of the team’s 38 total sacks since the two teams last met on September 11. The depleted Ticats offensive line must find a way to contain the Argos defensive front and provide Masoli with time to operate in the pocket.
- Greg Jones, LB – The Argos Most Outstanding Defensive Player of 2015 racked up 98 defensive tackles this season, adding 17 on special teams. The East Division All-Star played in all 18 games for the team, recording 17 tackles and one sack in three match-ups with the Ticats. Jones
