Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Arland Bruce III had his coming out party of 2010 on Saturday evening in Saskatchewan and invited 30,048 of his friends to take it in. Bruce loves to play the Riders, and renewed the good feelings by setting new career-highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (272). His 16 catches tied a CFL record and set a new team record while his 272 receiving yards are the second highest single-game total in Ticats history and the sixth highest in CFL history.
Last season, he scored the first touchdown of his Black and Gold career when the Ticats visited Regina, and picked up right where he left off Saturday night, catching balls all over the field and getting behind Saskatchewan’s defenders all night long.
For his standards, Bruce had been relatively quiet this season but got involved in the game from the first drive and never looked back. The veteran receiver slipped tackles and bowled over defenders on his way to his career day, which also included two touchdowns.
Quite a statement for a receiver that has played in the league for ten years and been named a CFL East Division All-Star four times. Like a good wine, he’s only getting better with age.
Any questions about Bruce were firmly answered by his play, as he constantly got himself open and racked up a ton of yards after the catch. To keep Bruce’s future Player Of The Week performance in perspective, keep in mind that the diminutive slot receiver had 16 catches for 211 yards and one touchdown going into Saturday’s game.
Taking into account the fact that Bruce’s longest reception of the night was only for 36 yards, it makes his 272 yard total that much more impressive. Bruce basically became a first down machine, averaging 17 yards per catch.
Bruce made up more than 50% of Hamilton’s total yardage for the game and was only stopped from catching one ball that quarterback Kevin Glenn threw his way. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to overcome two key interceptions and a blocked punt that killed the Ticats momentum. Kevin Glenn threw for 425 yards but two interceptions (the result of tipped passes) led to Roughriders points that drastically swung the momentum
The defence played an inspired game, limiting Saskatchewan to seven field goals in many situations that could have easily resulted in touchdowns. Darian Durant was able to make some special plays in situations where it appeared the play was dead and eventually an exhausted defence had no more to give.
Also of note was the fact that safety Dylan Barker made his first start of the season, and the first of what Ticats fans hope will be a long and successful career after Sandy beveridge retired earlier this week. Barker played well, delivering a crushing hit on the goal line that separated the ball from Weston Dressler, saving a sure touchdown.
