Redblacks on historic run of close games
SCOUTING REPORT
The storyline for Hamilton: Winless on the season, the Ticats are already in must-win territory as they start a crucial three-game stretch against East Division opponents (a bye week, followed by Labour Day vs. Toronto, then a trip to Ottawa.) Win all three, and Hamilton will be right back in the race in the underachieving East Division. Lose all three, and their season is all but over.
Key injuries, roster changes: The loss of all-star defensive tackle Ted Laurent, added to the sixgame injured list with a hamstring injury — combined with a rash of other national D-lineman going down — has forced the team to shuffle their seven Canadian starters. The team has two national receivers listed in the starting lineup but will move the pieces around during the game. Veteran defensive backs Emanuel Davis and Demond Washington return. Khalid Wooten and Terrence Frederick, who started in the secondary last week, were released. Three funky Hamilton stats 1. Quarterback Zach Collaros has lost his last 11 straight starts after beginning his career with a 2415 mark. Only five QBs in CFL history have ever lost 12 straight — including Anthony Calvillo as a member of the Ticats in 1996-97 — and the record is 13, held by Lynn Amedee in 1963-64 for Edmonton.
2. Ticats defensive back Richard Leonard leads the CFL in pass knock-downs with seven, and has at least one in each of last 4 games.
3. Hamilton has used 40 different starters this season, tied with most in the CFL. The Ticats have started 12 different defensive backs so far this season.
The storyline for Ottawa: The Redblacks are 1-6-1 and are essentially in the same desperation mode as the Ticats. They are 0-3 on the road this season but have lost those games by a combined nine points. Questions surround starting quarterback Trevor Harris, who has played well this season — except in big pressure moments when the game is on the line.
Key injuries: Injured right guard Nolan MacMillan has been replaced by Matt Albright, who makes his first start of the season. Former Ticat return man Quincy McDuffie is also hurt and won’t play. Another ex-Ticat, defensive end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, returns to the lineup as does running back William Powell. Three funky Ottawa stats 1. Quarterback Trevor Harris is just 1-8-1 in his last 10 starts dating back to Oct. 1, 2016, and 15-18-2 for his career.
2. Ottawa is the only team in CFL history to have each of its first eight games of a season all decided by seven points or less.
3. The Redblacks have thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this year and with Calgary and Edmonton are the only teams to do so in 2017.
TSN play-by-play: Rod Black and Duane Forde Referee: Dave Foxcroft Weather: Partly cloudy, 22 degrees with a 20 per cent chance of rain. Winds from the southwest at 25 km/h.
Fly past: A CC-130H Hercules aircraft, from 8 Wing Trenton, will conduct two flybys over Tim Hortons Field after the national anthem and before the opening kickoff to support Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Day.