The Hamilton Tiger-Cats capped off preseason play by defeating the Ottawa Redblacks 45-22 on Friday night. Hamilton will head into the regular season on a high note as both the offence and defence showed flashes of brilliance under the hot lights of Tim Hortons Field. Players expected to perform made a quick impact while the Ticats’ defence and special teams put on a show.
1. Owens earning his stripes in Hamilton
All eyes were on the Flyin’ Hawaiian in his first game as a Hamilton Tiger-Cat. The Black and Gold looked good on Chad Owens, as the five-time CFL All Star did not disappoint in his debut. Ticats’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli hit a streaking Owens in stride along the sideline for a 51-yard gain in the first quarter, bringing the crowd at Tim Hortons Field to their feet. Moments later, Owens would cap off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown reception after separating from the Redblacks defence and finding space in the end zone. Owens was limited to one quarter of action given the nature of preseason play, but still led Hamilton in receiving with 98 yards on five catches. Ticats’ fans are waiting anxiously to see what Owens will do as an encore in the regular season opener.
2. Here a pick, there a pick
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defence had their ball-hawking radars operating at full capacity against the Redblacks. The Ticats finished the game with three interceptions and one forced fumble. Jay Langa came up big for the Black and Gold with two picks, while Rico Murray added the other. Murray would show his versatility on defence, adding a fumble recovery to his impressive stat line. In the first quarter, a pass from Ottawa quarterback Shane O’Brien would tip off the hands of his own receiver and drop into the hands of one of his own lineman. Ticats’ defensive back Johnny Sears would subsequently break the ball loose, leading to Murray quickly scooping up the fumbled ball for the recovery. The first of Jay Langa’s interceptions came late in the first half when Langa quickly closed off the gap between him and the receiver as he came up with a diving catch for the turnover. Langa would later add to his stats for the game in the third quarter. Miscommunication on Ottawa’s part may have been the reasoning for Langa making his second pick of the game. Without any Redblacks’ receivers within reach, Langa was able to pick off an open pass.
3. Coach Reinbold pulls out the tricks
Jeff Reinebold has been known to have some tricks up his sleeve during his time as Hamilton’s special teams coordinator, and tonight was no exception. With the Tiger-Cats up 14-3 in the second quarter against the Redblacks, Brett Maher lined up for what the Redblacks expected to be a punt. Reinebold and his special teams squad had other plans in mind as Quinton Pointer swept across the backfield while Maher pitched the ball behind him. Pointer flanked to the right side of the field before bursting up sidelines for a 52-yard run and the score. The Tiger-Cats didn’t need their special team bag of tricks prior to the closing of the first half. On third down, Cody Mandell sent the ball booming for a 55-yard punt, only to have it fumbled by Ottawa’s Dior Mathis. Ticats’ Trey Wolfe would snag the ball as it hopped across the turf and scampered in for the score (and a double back flip celebration in the end zone).
