STAMPS VISIT THE TIGER- CATS
This is a game fans have been waiting for: Calgary, 10- 3, versus Hamilton, 8- 4, the best teams in their divisions. The first time they met, back on June 26, the Stamps won 24- 23. Here are five things to watch in Friday’s rematch,
NO ZACH TO WORRY ABOUT
The Ticats suffered a huge blow a couple of weekends ago when they lost quarterback Zach Collaros to a season- ending knee injury. Collaros was enjoying an MOP- like campaign, leading in a number of categories and being the linchpin on a dynamic Hamilton offence. In his place, the Stamps have been preparing for Jeff Mathews ( that’s one T), a young man who had an outstanding Ivy League career while at Cornell, yet another rookie QB to make a start against Calgary this season.
DEFENCES SHOULD REIGN SUPREME
One couldn’t find more evenlymatched defences, as the Ticats have allowed 246 points, while Calgary has given up 247. The Stamps’ sack attack relies on Charleston Hughes and Freddie Bishop, who have combined for 16 QB takedowns. Hamilton’s Justin Hickman and Eric Norwood ( who is on the six- game injured list) have a total of 13. On the defensive backfield front, Ticats’ opportunistic Emanuel Davis has five interceptions on the season, three of them for touchdowns. Calgary’s Keon Raymond has four, including a 98- yard pick- six against Collaros in Week 1.
OFFENSIVE LINE SHUFFLES AGAIN
Nary a game goes by without a change of some description for the Calgary offensive line and once again it’s at the left tackle position — one that has been almost cursed in 2015. Newcomer Derek Dennis, who joined the team just two weeks ago, will slot into the position in place of Garry Williams, who has been hampered by a foot problem. Previous starters at that post include Edwin Harrison, who’s out for the year, and the versatile Spencer Wilson, who has played at every spot on the OL this season and is starting at right guard.
FINALLY A VISIT TO TIM HORTONS
The Stampeders are the final CFL team to make an appearance at the Ticats new digs, a place where they were unbeatable for a long while, but have since dropped two of their last three. It’ll be the fifth venue at which Calgary and Hamilton have squared off in the past five seasons, as the Ticats’ home games roamed Eastern Canada. In 2011, it was Moncton; in 2012, it was Ivor Wynne Stadium in its final season; in 2013, the venue was the University of Guelph; while in 2014, McMaster University welcomed the squads.
LIKE OLIVER, STAMPS RECEIVERS WANT MORE
Calgary’s aerial game has been a bane for opposing teams, what with the terrific play of Eric Rogers, the CFL leading receiver, and a cast that includes sure- handed veteran Marquay McDaniel. With the hip flexor injury to rookie Canadian Lemar Durant, this game will mark the return of Jabari Arthur to the playing field. Arthur was released at the end of training camp and was summoned two months ago with the injury to Simon CharbonneauCampeau.