After the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-12) play the Montreal Alouettes (3-14) on Friday, both teams’ seasons will come to an end. Here are some players to keep an eye on in Friday’s game.
Matthew Shiltz (QB Alouettes)
Shiltz will get the start for the Alouettes in place of the injured Darian Durant. Shiltz has already seen some action this season, in particular in the last two weeks. He has completed 28 passes on 45 attempts (62% completion percentage) for 289 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. He has also showed the mobility that earned him 857 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in college at the University of Butler, rushing for 65 yard in the CFL this season.
Shiltz came in for Durant in the Ticats’ blowout win two weeks ago in Montreal, as well as the Roughriders’ blowout win in Saskatchewan last week. He looked better against the Ticats than he did against the Riders. In garbage time against Hamilton, Shiltz had some success, passing for 167 yards at an almost 70% completion percentage. His ability to run the football is something the Ticats will have to be prepared for.
BJ Cunningham (WR Alouettes)
Part of the reason for the decline in Shiltz’ numbers against the Roughriders last week, was that his receivers just couldn’t seem to hang on to the football.
Numerous players in the Alouettes receiving corps have had a disappointing season, not least of which is the team’s big off-season free-agent signing, Ernest Jackson. The former Redblacks wide receiver is sitting at an underwhelming 767 yards in 17 games played in 2017. In the same number of games last year, Jackson had 1,225 yards and almost twice as many touchdowns. Yes, Jackson is now part of a diminished passing attack, but it’s the sum of individual player contributions that makes an offence tick.
One receiver for the Als who has risen above his unfortunate circumstances, is BJ Cunningham. Last season, Cunningham had 855 receiving yards in 17 games as a rookie. Through 17 games this season, Cunningham has already exceeded 1,000 yards and will likely be the only player on the Alouettes roster to reach that mark this season.
If the Ticats want to contain Shiltz and the Montreal offence, they will have to find a way to shut down Cunningham.
Richard Leonard
Perhaps the best player in the Ticats’ secondary to shut down Cunningham is the rookie defensive back, Richard Leonard.
Leonard is currently a top contender for rookie of the year in the CFL, and won a unanimous selection for most outstanding rookie on the Ticats roster.
Leonard started the season at field corner, but in recent weeks he has been starting at halfback and has transitioned well between the positions. He leads the Ticats in interceptions with five and is tied with veteran Jovon Johnson for the league-lead in pass knockdowns with 12.
Larry Dean (LB Tiger-Cats)
Larry Dean has been another big piece of the Ticats’ defense this season. He was recognized by the CFL as both the Ticats most outstanding player and most outstanding defensive player this week.
Dean is the Ticats defensive team captain and leads the team in defensive tackles this season with 93. It will be interesting to see if Dean can bring his total into the triple digits by recording seven or more tackles against Montreal on Friday – a feat he has already accomplished seven times this season.
Ryan Bomben
The final Ticats player to watch is offensive lineman Ryan Bomben.
Bomben was recognized by the CFL awards as both the Ticats most outstanding Canadian and most outstanding offensive lineman.
Bomben and the rest of the Ticats offensive line will be looking to create holes for running back Alex Green to take advantage of a Montreal run defense which ranks last in the CFL.
