It’s back to the grind after a short five-day week for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as they return home to take on the Montreal Alouettes in Week 13 play.
The Alouettes (3-5) are looking to snap a three game losing skid while the Black and Gold hope to rebound after a tough loss on the road to the Toronto Argonauts in Week 12.
The Ticats were dominant in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, outscoring the Argos 20-6 and carrying a narrow four-point lead into the half. The Boatmen defence stood tall in the final two quarters and held the Ticats to only a single off of a missed field goal in the final 30 minutes, taking the last game of the season series 33-21. Terrence Toliver led all receivers with 111 yards in the air as well as a touchdown on five catches while Chad Owens was not far behind with 101 yards on seven receptions.
The Ticats captured the season series with the Argos by winning their two previous matchups with the Double Blue. Hamilton can also claim the Montreal series with a win over the Als on Friday.
“We feel everyone breathing down us,” said Ticats head coach Kent Austin. “It’s hard to win football games. Every week is important.”
Some notable names will be absent from the Ticats lineup on Friday night. Running back C.J. Gable and offensive linemen Peter Dyakowski are on the one-game injured list and will not suit up against the Alouettes. Third overall 2016 draft pick Brandon Revenberg and first-year Terrence Campbell will start at left guard and left tackle respectively for the Black and Gold while centre Mike Filer will also make his first start since sustaining an ankle injury the last time the Ticats and Als faced each other in Week 4.
The Ticats are prepared for a hard fought battle against the Alouettes, according to Austin.
“We believe that if you’re not well prepared, you’re not ready to play, and you’re not ready to execute a game plan, it doesn’t matter who you play; you’re going to get beat,” said Austin. “Everybody you play is dangerous depending on how well you play and how well they play, how many mistakes you make and how many plays you make.”
With only four points separating the Als and the Ticats, a Hamilton win would put some distance between the two teams in the East Division standings.
The BC Lions got an early jump on the Alouettes by scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions in Week 12 as the Als fell 38-27 to their western opponent. Rakeem Cato got the start under centre for Montreal, completing 21-of-29 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown. Receiver BJ Cunnighham led all Alouettes receivers with 101 yards on five catches.
The race in the East Division became more intriguing on Sunday night when the Alouettes traded veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in 2018. Cato will get the start for the Als under centre in Week 13.
The Ticats picked up a convincing 31-7 win against the Als when the teams last faced each other in Week 4. Brandon Banks sparked the offence with an 86-yard punt return touchdown while Adrian Tracy led the Ticats defence with 11 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Firday’s game will also mark the return of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame Game to Hamilton. The Class of 2016 will also be honoured during a halftime ceremony which will include a commemorative video and the unveiling of each inductees official Hall of Fame bust at centre field.
Quick Facts:
- Chad Owens reached the 502 career receptions last week, the 45th player in CFL history to go over the 500 catch mark.
- Hamilton has had 17 pass plays of 30+ yards in last five games (nine to Terrence Toliver) while four Ticats are on pace for 1,000 yards.
- The Montreal defence allowed 585 yards of offence at BC last week; the most in the last 15 years (MTL allowed 622 at BC Aug 4/01).
- Montreal’s Red Zone defence is keeping the Alouettes in games. They have stopped 15 of the last 23 opponent Red Zone chances.
