Clutch 2nd down conversions
At the start of the season, the Ticats’s second down conversion rate was a point of concern. Luke Tasker, who is normally a key second down player for the Ticats, had lower-than-normal numbers on second-down plays.
In the Tiger-Cats win over the Blue Bombers on Friday, the Ticats by no means were forced to rely on explosive plays. The Ticats didn’t blast the Bombers out of the water with huge downfield throws, although there were a few of those as well. This Ticats’ win was the product of tough, gritty drives.
One drive in particular jumps to mind. At the end of the third quarter and leading into the start of the fourth quarter, the Ticats were trapped in the shadow of their own goalposts. In three consecutive Hamilton drives in the third quarter the Ticats were held to three consecutive two-and-outs, and I for one experienced flashbacks to last week against Toronto.
In the Ticats’ week 15 loss to the Argonauts, the Cats had a large lead heading into the fourth quarter. After the fact, some claimed that the Ticats imploded in the final quarter of play against the Argos. I disagree with that evaluation. It seemed instead that the Ticats let the Argos slowly inch back into the game. Toronto chipped away at the lead with sneaky field goals and eventually mounted a significant comeback. Hamilton allowed them back in the game, not by folding on themselves, but instead by softening a little and being caught off guard in the end.
When the Ticats went two-and-out on three consecutive drives in the third quarter against the Bombers on Friday, it may have caused some Hamilton fans to experience déjà vu. The night would ultimately end much differently for the Ticats than a week ago.
Now we return to Masoli, starting a drive in the shadows of his own goalposts. First down was a six-yard Alex Green rush. That run set up an important down for the Ticats. With just a nine-point lead at the time, the Cats were staring a fourth consecutive two-and-out in the face, and leaning on an inexperienced punter in receiver Felix Faubert-Lussier. Masoli connected with Chambers, and earned enough yardage to extend the drive.
That clutch second down play set up a grind-it-out drive in which the Ticats clawed their way downfield, eating up real estate and time off the clock, and eventually capping it with a Tasker touchdown. That drive sealed the victory for the Ticats and was the result of clutch conversions on second down.
Balanced play calling
Head Coach June Jones had the Tiger-Cats’ offence firing on all cylinders on Friday. After breaking the 30 point mark for the first time of the season last week against Toronto, the Ticats were able to do it for the second time in two weeks against the Bombers. Part of the reason behind the success of late has been the balanced play calling.
Take a key first quarter drive for example.
The Ticats struck quickly on their first drive of the game when Masoli hit Speedy Banks in stride for the 60-yard major on the third play of the game from scrimmage. That first drive alone was a good example of a balanced attack, with two runs followed by a downfield strike, but the Ticats’ ensuing possession was a more prolonged illustration.
The drive started on the Hamilton 22-yard line. The first play was a rush for a few yards. It was followed by a throw to Fantuz which was flagged for pass interference. Masoli went back to the air with a first-down throw to Banks. Then he returned to the ground for two-straight plays, Green picking up some yardage. Then the offence faked a run and connected on a hitch screen to Chambers. Then Masoli jumped out of the pocket and ran the ball himself, adding another rushing threat to the equation. The drive eventually ended with a Castillo field goal.
The above sequence of plays was so varied and unpredictable, that the Winnipeg defence was hard-pressed to defend it. For that drive and numerous others, the Tiger-Cats play calling was a big part of their offensive success on Friday.
Also, the Masoli-punt play call in the third quarter deserves to be mentioned. When Masoli punted it downfield and the onside Brandon Banks recovered the ball, it resulted in some big points for the Ticats. It was an innovative play call to say the least.
Jeremiah Masoli cool under pressure
Jeremiah Masoli threw for 338 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and in true Masoli fashion, rushed for 48 yards to boot. Despite all that, perhaps the most impressive part of his performance was the 81.8% completion percentage that he accomplished it with.
When speaking with TSN prior to the game, Coach Jones praised Masoli for the strides he made in completion percentage at practice this week. Maybe the addition of an extra-set of eyes on the quarterback in recent hire Dan Morrison benefited Masoli. The Ticats hope Masoli can repeat his performance in the coming weeks.
Special shout-out to Felix Faubert-Lussier who handled punting duties valiantly after Castillo left with injury. Hopefully for the Ticats, Castillo is able to recover quickly.
