Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
One of the Ticats goals this off-season was to find a playmaker in the kick/punt return game.
It looks like they’ve found their man.
After only a week in the Black and Gold, Marcus Thigpen made an impression with a 93-yard kick return touchdown on the opening kickoff of the game (the first time he’s touched the ball as a pro) and a spectacular 118-yard missed field goal return in the fourth quarter to help spark a late come back attempt by the Hamilton offence.
Thigpen was picked up last Friday after being released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He spent part of last season on the Roughrider’s practice roster.
General Manager Bob O’Billovich showed his reputation for finding talent is well earned, signing Thigpen to handle the return duties just a week before the season opener and without the benefit of seeing him in training camp.
Thigpen’s exceptional performance wasn’t enough to lift the Ticats to victory on Friday night, however, as the Cats fell 49-29 to the Blue Bombers. The Tiger-Cats played inconsistently in all three phases of the game at Canad Inns Stadium en route to the loss.
After struggling to find a rhythm in the first half the Ticats showed heart, battling a tough Blue Bombers defence and a fierce wind in the fourth quarter to bring the game back within reach.
However a Ticats defence that spent much of the game on the field finally started to show fatigue and the effort wasn’t enough to earn them the win.
The defence was able to put some pressure on Buck Pierce, racking up four sacks, two by veteran linebacker Otis Floyd. In the end, the heat and amount of time spent on the field were too much for a unit with very high expectations this season.
While the offence looked out of sorts for much of the first half, the Ticats will hope that the momentum they gained in the fourth quarter will carry into next week’s game against Calgary.
Marquay McDaniel was especially impressive, beginning his sophomore campaign with seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Even though Tiger-Cats fans and players alike will be disappointed by Friday night’s result,it must be remembered that one game does not make a season.
The team started slow but battled hard in a tough road environment and will look for redemption in the friendlier confines of Ivor Wynne Stadium in the home opener next Saturday against the Stampeders.
