Three Keys To The Game: Week 4 vs Saskatchewan

Riding a two-game winning streak, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had a short week going into their matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Thursday night in Regina. Here are this week’s three keys to the game.
It’s All About Protection
Though Saskatchewan’s 1-2 record may not show it, the green and white’s roster is jam-packed full of talent.
“Saskatchewan has very good personnel,” said Tiger-Cats head coach June Jones after practice earlier this week. “They all look like NFL defensive ends and they have quickness and speed.
“They’re a good football team defensively and offensively.”
To counter the Saskatchewan attack, Jones noted: “We’re going to have to protect Jeremiah. They’re going to test us more than probably anyone has tested us and that’s what they do.”
Collapse The Pocket
With starting quarterback Zach Collaros out of the lineup with an injury, Saskatchewan will rely on Canadian QB Brandon Bridge on Thursday. Coach Jones said the Ticats defence will be aggressive on the ball.
“Defensively, we hustle to the ball and we get to the ball carrier,” Jones said. “We have to make sure that when we’re real aggressive, that we’re keeping our lanes.”
Keep The Momentum
Coming off an upset loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week, the Riders will be looking to throw everything at the Tiger-Cats.
“Whenever you play a game like that, the next game they come back with fire,” said Jones about the Riders’ 23-17 loss at home last week.
Hamilton displayed their own comeback story once this season as they bounced back to beat the Edmonton Eskimos after losing to the Calgary Stampeders. If Hamilton can hold off the Saskatchewan offence and find success against their defensive line, the Tiger-Cats could enter their first bye week of the season winners of three straight.