Tiger-Cats Game Day
The storyline for Hamilton: The season-opening loss to Toronto exposed some early weaknesses and a road win in a challenging environment would go a long way to calming the concerns surrounding Kent Austin’s squad. And it doesn’t get any easier: the Ticats face tough West Division opponents the next four weeks.
Key injuries and roster changes: Veteran running back C.J. Gable is out, replaced by sophomore Ross Scheuerman, who has one career CFL start. Jalen Saunders and Junior Collins will join the receiving corps in place of Terrence Toliver, who’s out with a knee injury, and Kevin Elliott, who had just two catches in the season-opening loss to Toronto. The secondary, which gave up more than 500 yards passing in week one, is still without starters Abdul Kanneh and Emanuel Davis but will see Ethan Davis and Khalid Wooten moved into the starting line up in place of Demond Washington and Chris Davis.
Three funky Hamilton stats: 1. The Ticats will being playing on 12 days rest but have lost four straight coming off a bye week over the last two seasons; their last win after a bye came in September, 2014 against Toronto.
2. Defensive back Will Hill became the first player in CFL history to record two blocked kicks in his first game when he did it in week one against Toronto. He is just the 10th player to ever to record more than one in a game and the first since Donnovan Carter in 2002.
3. Canadian defensive tackle Ted Laurent will be playing in his 100th career CFL game. Only two other current Ticats have hit the century mark: offensive lineman Ryan Bomben (103) and defensive end John Chick (110).
The storyline for Saskatchewan: The Riders are 0-2 and after last year’s 5-13 debacle, head coach Chris Jones’ seat could be getting warm — particularly if they continue to lose in their brand new, $278 million stadium. The latest controversy featured defensive end Jonathon Newsome criticizing the handling of his release this week.
Key injuries and line up changes: Ratio-breaking Canadian linebacker Henoc Muamba returns after a brief stint on the sixgame injury list with a knee injury. Receiver Caleb Holley is out as is the aforementioned Newsome.
Three funky Saskatchewan stats:
1. The Riders lost 43-40 in OT to Winnipeg last week and are now 4-11 in games decided by four points or less since 2015 (including 0-2 this season.)
2. Saskatchewan has lost four of their last five against the Ticats but are 5-5 against Hamilton in their last 10 meetings.
3. Greg Morris leads the CFL in kickoff return yards with 242 on eight attempts and has three returns of 40-plus yards this season.
The rest of the details: TSN play-by-play: Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor Referee: Tim Kroger Weather: Clear, 28 degrees with winds out of the East at 22 km/h.