The Tiger-Cats have started slowly, but have also shown improvement in every game. Despite the close loss to Edmonton, there a number of takeaways for the Ticats, who turned in their best performance of the season against the league-leading Eskimos on Thursday.
1. Ross Scheuerman and the resurgence of the run game
Ticats running back Ross Scheuerman posted more than 100 all purpose yards, including 68 on the ground. His longest rush of the night was 40 yards, just one yard shy of the Tiger-Cats rushing average per game through the first three games. Head Coach Kent Austin gave Scheuerman ten attempts on the ground, and the young running back made the most of his touches, averaging almost seven yards per rush.
Scheuerman was equally explosive when catching the ball out of the backfield, accumulating 36 yards in the air, including a screen play that he turned into a 22 yard gain.
The Tiger-Cats were able to take advantage of an Eskimo run defence that has been lacking through three games.
2. Ted Laurent and the run defence
Ticats defensive tackle Ted Laurent recorded three sacks. Defensive end John Chick joined in on Laurent’s third sack of the night to help bring down Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly.
The Tiger-Cats’ run defence continued to perform, limiting Eskimos running back Travon Van to just 57 yards on the ground. The Eskimos’ offence relies heavily on the run game, and the ability of the Tiger-Cats to shut down Van put added pressure on Reilly.
Tiger-Cats linebackers combined for 15 tackles on the night, and regularly wrapped up Van before he could turn the ball downfield.
First year Tiger-Cat Davon Coleman had another strong performance on the defensive line. Coleman regularly pressured the quarterback and blocked an Eskimo conversion attempt.
3. Nicholas Shortill and the special teams
Leading the way with three special teams tackles, Shortill turned in a strong performance.
Shortill was effective in coverage and also recorded two tackles from scrimmage when slotting in at linebacker.
Since game one, the Ticats’ special teams has been making things happen. Castillo has been punting well, averaging over 43 yards per punt. The team also has numerous kick blocks. Not only has it prevented teams from scoring, but also generated points of its own, returning knockdowns for touchdowns.
The Ticats held Eskimos return man Kendial Lawrence to just 52 punt return yards and tackled well downfield.
The Tiger-Cats have continued to show improvement in each game thus far. If the team continues to build on each week’s takeaways, it will start to reflect on the win column.
