REDBLACKS search playoff berth in battle with Ticats
HAMILTON — With six video games remaining on the common season schedule, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will attempt to take one other step in getting again within the playoff race once they host the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday afternoon.
For the primary time since Week 9, the Ticats come right into a recreation off a victory, after they defeated the Toronto Argonauts 31-28 as a part of the OK Tire Labour Day Weekend.
The REDBLACKS recovered from a Week 13 letdown by handing the Argos a 41-27 loss final week and might punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win.
The Ticats’ success on offence begins with the play of quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and his skill to care for the soccer, one thing he did nicely of their final recreation when he threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, whereas not throwing an interception.
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He’ll be examined this week although, because the REDBLACKS have gifted playmakers throughout their secondary. Damon Webb had two decide sixes within the win over the Argos, whereas Brandin Dandridge and Alijah McGhee each had interceptions of their very own. As a crew, the REDBLACKS now have 12 on the season.
It’ll be their job to close down receivers Tim White and Shemar Bridges. After flattening 180 yards in opposition to Toronto, White is simply 171 shy of hitting the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in his CFL profession.
General, Mitchell has been happy along with his personal play of late.
“I believe my ft have been loads higher, choice making has been higher,” Mitchell informed reporters.
“I haven’t turned the ball over within the final two video games and I believe that’s large for our offence and our crew usually. Personally, I’ve to proceed to try to get higher and discover the small issues I can get higher at and enhance on the power that I’ve.”
Scott Milanovich will give many of the carries to Greg Bell once more this week. The working again is averaging 5.8 yards per carry in his 4 video games this yr, together with 8.7 in his most up-to-date begin.
The REDBLACKS’ run defence has been simply as spectacular in serving to the crew to their present 8-3-1 file. Shutting down Bell falls on Bryce Carter, Lorenzo Mauldin IV and Michael Wakefield. The trio additionally has the accountability of constructing Mitchell really feel the strain within the pocket, one thing they’ve achieved to the tune of 15 sacks mixed.
Milanovich has preferred what he’s seen from his rookie working again by means of his temporary stint as a starter.
“I believe he’s performed nicely,” Milanovich informed reporters.
“He’s a rookie, he’s getting his ft moist. I believed he performed clearly rather well in opposition to Toronto. He’s a menace receiving. He’s studying each week. I believe the man’s gifted. He’s explosive.”
Quarterback Dru Brown answered any questions after a tricky Landing Pacific efficiency with 349 yards and a landing of their victory final week.
A big a part of his success has been discovering completely different receivers within the cross recreation with out the likes of Jaelon Acklin and Kalil Pimpleton (although Acklin is again within the lineup this week).
Justin Hardy and Dominique Rhymes are the apparent prime targets however Andre Miller and Nick Mardner have confirmed to be viable choices if wanted. Miller caught Brown’s landing and totalled 95 yards versus the Argos.
Stavros Katsantonis, Jamal Peters and Destin Telbert draw the project of stopping Brown and his set of receivers. It’s a unit that’s collectively been good at limiting yards and sits third within the league giving up 274.4 per recreation.
The REDBLACKS’ run recreation will entrust Khalan Laborn with the beginning this week, after they moved the recently-acquried Jamal Morrow to the six-game injured listing. Laborn had 47 yards and a landing in his debut and he’ll attempt to discover consistency on the bottom in opposition to a run defence giving up 107 yards per recreation.
Ticats’ senior defensive assistant Chris Jones continues to refine the entrance seven’s play. Defensive linemen DeWayne Hendrix and Casey Sayles each had a sack of their Labour Day Weekend win and are backed by Kyle Wilson’s 71 defensive tackles.
One other house win would transfer Hamilton to 4-9, making the East playoff race that rather more fascinating.
Ottawa could make it wins in seven of their final 9 video games and naturally lock up their first playoff look for the reason that 2018 season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET from Tim Hortons Area. Followers can catch the sport on CTV and RDS2 in Canada, whereas American and worldwide viewers can tune in on CFL+.