Ticats QB Masoli looks to tie CFL record for consecutive games of 300-plus yards
REGINA — Jeremiah Masoli is looking to join some select company as he continues to emerge as the face of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ resurgence.
The quarterback needs one more game of 300-plus yards passing to tie a long-standing CFL record currently shared by Sam (The Rifle) Etcheverry and Kent Austin.
Etcheverry had nine consecutive games of at least 300 passing yards for the Montreal Alouettes in 1956. Austin matched that feat in 1991 as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders — who Masoli and the Ticats face Thursday at Mosaic Stadium.
Masoli, who became the Tiger-Cats’ starting quarterback in their ninth game of 2017, hit the 300-yard mark in the final five games of that season. He has hit that benchmark in the first three games this season while leading the Ticats to back-to-back victories.
“The significance of [the streak] is it’s a good sign that our offence is rolling and that we’re executing,” Masoli said Wednesday.
While Masoli’s play has heated up, he has cooled off stories about his backup, former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
Manziel has been a huge story across the league since signing with Hamilton shortly before training camp, but he has yet to take a regular-season snap due to the strong play of Masoli.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan quarterback Brandon Bridge is preparing to make his second consecutive start in place of ex-Tiger-Cat Zach Collaros, who is on the six-game injured list with a concussion.
On Saturday, Jones pulled Bridge at halftime of a game against the visiting Alouettes, who won 23-17 in Regina to snap a 13-game losing streak.
Bridge was replaced last week by untested David Watford, who hit Naaman Roosevelt in the end zone for the Roughriders’ only touchdown.
Like Bridge, Watford threw two interceptions in the loss to Montreal.
Saskatchewan coach Chris Jones indicated Thursday that he is prepared to turn to Watford again if Bridge struggles.