Handing the Blue Bombers a 31-17 loss this game marks the Ticats first back-to-back wins for the first time this season. The game was highlighted by the Tiger-Cats defence as they held the Blue Bombers to a season low of 17 points. On the opposite side of the ball, Jeremiah Masoli and the red-hot Hamilton offence put up a 31 points. With so many pros coming from this win, here are the three key takeaways:
Running Back Depth
Sean Thomas Erlington’s leap over Bomber’s safety Taylor Loffler was just one of the many highlights from the Hamiton running backs on Friday night.
Between Erlington and Burlington, Ont. native Mercer Timmis, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats dominated the ground game. Rushing for a combined 111 yards and two touchdowns on the night and recording an average of 5.5-yards per rush between Timmis and Erlington.
With a now combined 300 rushing yards over the course of two games, Hamilton has cemented their running game as one of the leagues best.
History in the Making
Just like the number he wears on the field, the number eight had another meaning on Friday night as Jeremiah Masoli joined an exclusive list of names in CFL history.
Passing for his 8th consecutive 300-yard game, Jeremiah Masoli has once again proven that he is an elite quarterback in the CFL. Sitting just one 300 yard game behind record-holders Sam Etcheverry (1956) and Kent Austin (1991), Thursday’s matchup against the Roughriders could see a new name be written in the record books.
One feel-good moment on the night came from a Masoli pass connecting with wide receiver Terrence Toliver. This touchdown marked Masoli’s fourth passing touchdown on the year and Toliver’s first touchdown since Oct. 28, 2016.
Along with Masoli’s career night, linebacker Simoni Lawerence reached a milestone of his own.
After recording his first two defensive tackles on the night, Lawrence moved into third in Ticats history in defensive tackles and fourth in team history in total tackles.
Cold as ice
Coming into this game with a league-leading six passing touchdowns, Chris Streveler had finally met his match.
Running into a Hamilton defence that seemed to have an answer for everything Winnipeg threw at them, this game marked the first of his season where Streveler failed to throw for over 150 yards.
This is not the first time Hamilton has duked it out with a strong quarterback as the unit has yet to give up more than 30 points in a game. Putting together an excellent eight quarters of play in Alberta, the momentum generated out West has become infectious as losing does not seem to be in the Tiger-Cats future anytime soon.
