Game Preview: Ticats vs. Eskimos

Just two weeks after their dramatic, last-second field goal win in Edmonton, the Ticats are getting ready to take on the Eskimos again. This time, in the Hammer.
Perhaps the Ticats will have a little extra motivation on Friday, as they will have some legendary former players in attendance. The 99’ Grey Cup team will be in the building as part of the club’s yearlong celebration of 150 years of professional football in Hamilton. In addition to that, the Ticats will be honouring legendary safety Rob Hitchcock at halftime by inducting him into the wall of honour at halftime.
The Ticats are returning home after a successful western road trip. They went 2-1 and very easily could have been 3-0 if it wasn’t for Tre Roberson’s elbow. Most recently, the Ticats picked up a win in Winnipeg, in a game that saw two players earn Top Performer of Week 16 honours.
Simoni Lawrence was named the CFL’s Top Performer for Week 16 and when you break the single-game record for tackles, it’s hard to argue with it. Dane Evans was also named one of the CFL Top Performers after posting 359 passing yards on 78.1% passing and matching a career-high three passing touchdowns.

Defensively, the Ticats did what they seemingly always do and got after the quarterback. As a team, they had five sacks with Julian Howsare picking up two while Ja’Gared Davis, Cariel Brooks and Brett Wade all got one each. They also picked off Winnipeg twice with Justin Tuggle and Jumal Rolle doing the damage.
As a team, the Ticats took care of business too, beating the Bombers 33-13 to move into first place in the CFL. Brandon Banks continued to add to his Most Outstanding Player case, tallying 113 yards and a touchdown. Bralon Addison just missed out on his fourth straight 100 yard receiving game, totalling four receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
The last time they played the Eskimos the Ticats won the first meeting in Edmonton in dramatic fashion. The Eskimos kicked a field goal to tie the game with 40 seconds left and seemingly force the overtime. However, Dane Evans and the Ticats’ offence had other ideas. After a 19-yard return from Frankie Williams the Ticats took over at their own 39 yard line. Evans quickly found Bralon Addison for a 26-yard gain. Hamilton then ran the ball three times, twice with Jackson Bennett and once with Addison, to get the ball to the Edmonton 26.
With 11 seconds left, Lirim Hajrullahu and the field goal unit ran out onto the field with a chance to win it  and redeem themselves after the week before. Hamilton was in the same situation in Calgary a week earlier. Hajrullahu lined up and got the kick off, however Calgary defender Tre Roberson timed his jump perfectly and was able to block the kick with his arm. There would be no such issues in Edmonton, Hajrullahu banked the kick in off the post and sent the Ticats home happy.
Dane Evans and the offence got off to an incredible start in the first quarter in Edmonton. He finished the quarter 7/8 with 197 passing yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns were absolute bombs. First there was a 41-yard bomb to Marcus Tucker to make it 14-0. Three minutes later, Evans connected with Addison for a 76 yard score.
If the Ticats are going to be successful against the Eskimos, Evans and Addison will likely play a major role, like they did in the first game.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Tim Hortons Field and can be seen on the TSN network.