The 10-3 Ticats are making the trip to Winnipeg to take on the 9-4 Blue Bombers, in what will conclude their three game western road swing. Hamilton will have a chance to sweep the season series and move one step closer to clinching a home playoff game in November. These are the 3 keys for Ticats @ Bombers.
Unexpected Starters
When the season started, both Chris Streveler and Dane Evans were listed as number two on the depth chart behind the respective starters. Now, both have been thrust into action because of injury to the previous starter. Jeremiah Masoli tore his ACL in Week 7, coincidentally against the Blue Bombers, which forced Evans into action. Streveler, on the other hand took over in Week 10 after Nichols left favouring his throwing arm. Initially, he was only supposed to miss four to six weeks but the Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen reports that the timeline might be much longer.
Since taking over, Dane Evans has grown more and more comfortable as the starter. He has now thrown for at least 300 yards in three straight games and in four of his last five. In that span, he has seven touchdowns as well. Evans’ tenure as the starter has two particular stretches that stick out as highlights. First there was the second half comeback against the Argos on Labour Day, where he completed 19 straight passes and helped lead the Ticats to 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete the second half comeback at Tim Hortons Field. There’s also his first quarter last week against Edmonton. He was absolutely on fire in the opening frame going 7/8 with 197 yards and three touchdowns. Two of which were absolute bombs to Bralon Addison and Marcus Tucker. Hamilton is 5-2 in Evans’ start this season.
Streveler has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Bombers since stepping in. He’s as much of a threat with his legs as he is with his arms so the Ticats defence will have to contain him Friday night. On the year, he has thrown for 698 yards and rushed for 490. Keep in mind, he was a factor in the running game even before Nichols got hurt. Since he took over, the Bombers are 2-2.
Potential Returnees
Help could be around the corner for the Ticats. Rookie running back Maleek Irons is eligible to come off the six game injured list this week after being out since Week 8. He’s returned to practice and looks to be running well, although it’s still unclear what his status will be for Friday.
Irons looked to be on the verge of a great rookie season before his injury. He became the lead back after Sean Thomas Erlington got hurt in Week 4 and looked to be settling in after two starts. Unfortunately he got hurt on the opening kick-off against the Riders in Week 8 and he’s been out ever since. The 2019 third round pick is a powerful runner who compliments Anthony Coombs and Jackson Bennett well and will be a welcomed addition to the lineup, whenever he returns.
Both Delvin Breaux and Luke Tasker have also been around at practice, however Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer wasn’t too sure if either would make their return this week. Still, it’s a good sign that the longtime Ticats are returning to football related activities as we head down the stretch run.
A Pair of Leading Receivers
The Ticats boast a two-headed monster at receiver. Brandon Banks and Bralon Addison are first and second in the East Division in receptions, receiving yards, yards after the catch and receiving touchdowns. They’re also top five in the league in all of those categories. For Banks, this is no surprise. Speedy B has been one of the best receivers in the league for three seasons now and will garner much deserved attention for Most Outstanding Player this season. Addison on the other hand was fighting for reps in a crowded receivers room in training camp. The versatile second year player will likely break the 1000 yard mark on Friday in Winnipeg (he has 980) which has given the Ticats a real “pick your poison” look on offence. One other element that Addison provides is that he is incredibly versatile. We’ve seen him lineup as a running back as well as under centre as a wildcat quarterback, giving offensive coordinator Tommy Condell plenty of different ways to get the 25 year old involved.