Game Preview: Ticats @ Bombers

The first place Hamilton Tiger-Cats wrap up their western road swing on Friday night when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the 9-4 Bombers. Hamilton will be looking to come home with a winning record, after splitting the first two games in Alberta.
Both Alberta games ended in similar fashion, one went the Ticats’ way the other didn’t. Tre Roberson made an incredible play to block Lirm Hajrullahu’s 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired, to secure the one point victory for the Stamps. Six days later, Hajrullahu got another shot in Edmonton and this time he drilled it from 34 yards out to secure the three point win for the Ticats.
The Ticats were helped in that game by an incredible first quarter from Dane Evans and the offence. Evans went 7/8 in the first quarter with 197 yards and three passing touchdowns, including a 76 yard bomb to Bralon Addison for the third first quarter touchdown. This will be the second meeting between the Bombers and Ticats after Hamilton overcame some adversity to pick up the 23-15 win at Tim Hortons Field. This was the game where Jeremiah Masoli went down with a season ending ACL injury. Dane Evans took over and has really come on as of late since taking over for Masoli. The 25-year old has thrown for 300 yards in three straight and four of his last five games, easing the fears of Tigertown after seeing their starter go down in Week 7.

The defence was the key against Winnipeg in the last meeting. They were able to hold Matt Nichols to just 261 yards and one touchdown. He had difficulty reading the Ticats secondary, and they picked him off three times. Tunde Adeleke picked up his first career interception, while Jumal Rolle had one of his trademark two interception games. Rolle now has six career interceptions with all of them coming from two interception games.
As for the Bombes, it looks like Chris Streveler is going to get his fifth straight start, after taking over for Nichols, who has been out with an injury. The University of South Dakota product is as much of a threat with his legs as he is with his arm, having rushed for 490 yards and thrown for 698 on the season. Winnipeg is 2-2 since Streveler took over, but remain in a tie for first place in the West Division.
Andrew Harris made his return to the lineup last week for Winnipeg, after serving a two game suspension for violating the CFL/CFLPA drug policy. He made his presence felt in his first game back, tallying 188 yards from scrimmage, including 12 carries for 76 yards and five receptions for 112 yards.
It remains unclear if any of the injured Ticats will suit up in Winnipeg, however a number of them have returned to practice in limited fashion.
Kick-off in Winnipeg is scheduled for 8:30 EDT from IG Field. The game can be seen on TSN and heard on TSN 1150.