But, like the Ticats, they have suffered from inconsistent play at quarterback, restructuring of the offensive line, and critical mistakes and costly penalties. He has NFL experience and hands, and gives Evans a looming target he can see when he’s pressured.Īs the Ticats know from last season, there is tremendous local pressure on the team that is hosting the Grey Cup to make it into the big game, and that onus falls on the shoulders of the Roughriders, who started well, at 4-1. Johnson has been out since early July with a wrist injury and scored a touchdown in his only appearance of the year - although he also fumbled away the ball after a good gain. 2 quarterback Matt Shiltz has returned to game-play health and that could add some wrinkles to the Ticats offence.īig receiver Anthony Johnson, a former NFLer, moves into the starting rotation for the injured Papi White.
The Ticats need to use everything they have in this game, and the three to follow. “He’s dynamic whether it’s his play or just bringing that energy.”Įxpect the Ticats to use Hills to set up the passing game and to provide Dane Evans with some time to throw. “(Woods) brings a whole different dynamic to the team,” says running back Wes Hills, who’s been a punishingly successful rusher since taking over from Don Jackson two games ago. Rookie kick returner Lawrence Woods, who was leading the league in all-purpose yardage and still stands third despite missing the last four games with a knee injury, will be back too. So, it’s no surprise that during the Ticats’ final tune-up practice, the equipment crew had taped a giant “WIN” message at centre field. at Tim Hortons Field) the tragic number to finish right out of the east playoffs also becomes one - a Rider victory in one of their two season-ending games against Calgary, or one Hamilton loss in their final three. In reality, it’s already gone.Īnd if the Ticats lose to the Roughriders on Friday night (7:30 p.m. Technically, the Ticats could still finish second but their un-magic number for that is one: either a Hamilton loss or a Montreal win and second place is a goner. That’s the polar opposite of the “get hot at the right time” adage. The 4-10 Ticats, meanwhile, had been entertaining legitimate thoughts of first, despite a losing record, but then lost twice to Montreal, and twice to Toronto in the space of five games.
In losing four straight, Saskatchewan (6-9) has squandered a seemingly sure thing to cross over to play in the eastern semifinal. They, meaning the Riders, definitely are.
“They’re probably of the same mindset as well.” “Every week from now on is a must-win,” says Ticat sophomore defensive end Mason Bennett, one of the few local bright spots in recent weeks. You may have heard about the playoff crossover. They’re caught in the self-created arithmetic of the desperate.įour months after they played each other in the season opener with visions of sugar plums and Grey Cup berths dancing in their heads, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders are reduced to having to win the rest of their games just to finish third.
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