Ticats Confidential: August 7
By: Justin Boone
After fighting through a series of difficult games, the Ticats emerged victorious Thursday night, 45-21, over a stunned Argos squad.
– If you want to argue the merits of a quarterback who can run the ball, look no further than when Richie Williams moves towards the line. Inevitably, the defence collapses to stop him, giving him a chance to still hit his receivers, like he did on the first touchdown pass to a very unlikely recipient, Robert Pavlovic. You’re a better man than I if you called that one.
– For a smaller guy, Terry Caulley is a phenomenal blocker in the backfield. He showed his ability to pick up on the pass rush on more than one occasion, by bringing down Argos defenders as they chased after quarterback Richie Williams. It’s a skill that often goes unheralded, but Caulley’s presence back there allowed the passing game time to develop. Caulley wasn’t just a mini sixth offensive lineman, he also was doing damage on the ground rushing for 127 yards and a TD, and catching two passes for seven yards and a TD.
– After Jeff Piercy’s three-carry, six-yard performance in the first meeting with the Argos (by far the most he has touched the ball in one game this season), he joked this week that he might be the secret weapon, since his pal Jesse Lumsden was out. Early in the game it looked as though he wasn’t kidding. The veteran fullback caught two passes for 32 yards, and had one carry for another five yards.
– Although he jokes that it’s tough to get noticed as a Canadian playing in the shadow of Lumsden, Chris Bauman stepped out from behind Jesse with his first career touchdown reception, a 63-yard bomb.
– You can’t mention the success of the offence without pointing out the poise Williams has in the pocket. With him at the helm, the offence has flourished and his 293 yards and three touchdowns are the most productive a Ticats QB has been this season.
– K/P Nick Setta wasn’t content with just kicking an extra point after the team’s second touchdown. He followed it up by hammering the ball past Dominique Dorsey and into the end zone for a single. That’s one way to deal with Dorsey’s prolific ability as a return man. Another way is to send safety and veteran special teamer Sandy Beveridge downfield at him. Sandy made an impressive solo tackle on Dorsey. The special teams took a bit of a beating after last week’s game in Montreal, but thoroughly redeemed themselves tonight with solid coverage.
– Once again the Ticats answered on their first drive after halftime by putting points on the board. The Cats worked downfield methodically and with purpose, ending in a three-yard touchdown to Caulley.
– It’s the little plays that count and DB Rontarius Robinson knocking down what looked like a sure 20 yard completion ended the Argos attempt to respond after Hamilton’s touchdown early in the third quarter. Fans gasped when they saw the receiver open downfield, but Robinson leaped and got a hand on the ball, a play that went a long way to Hamilton’s win.
– The defence has been craving game-changing plays. It got one Thursday night from Markeith Knowlton as he made a very difficult interception, and then bolted for the end zone with a caravan of his fellow defenders blocking all the way to pay dirt.
– When it rains, like it was Thursday night, it pours, and the Ticats took advantage of the tempest as they rode their momentum. After Knowlton’s pick, the kick coverage team stripped the ball from the Argos, recovering at midfield.
– The defence got some payback for recently released wide receiver Jason French, who took a huge hit from Kenny Wheaton in the two team’s first meeting. DB Chris Thompson leveled Argos receiver Nathan Hoffart. If you didn’t see the game, you’ll certainly be seeing it on the highlights.
– With 7:16 left in the fourth, tempers flared and the players went toe-to-toe in a bit of a scuffle, adding to the rivalry and setting up an interesting third match-up in the Labour Day Classic in three weeks.
