| Tiger-Cats (1-4) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-3) Regular Season Game 6 Saturday, August 7 @ 7:00 p.m. Ivor Wynne Stadium – Hamilton, Ontario |
BROADCAST INFORMATION
| TV BROADCAST: |
National broadcast on TSN |
| Play by play: Rod Black / Colour: Duane Forde |
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| RADIO BROADCAST: | AM 900 CHML, simulcast on Y108 (Listen Live) |
| Play by play: Rick Zamperin / Colour: John ‘Coach Sal’ Salavantis / Sideline Reporter: Matt Holmes |
THE MATCH-UP
Tonight’s game will be the third of four regular season meetings between the Tiger-Cats and Blue Bombers in the 2010 season. The Blue Bombers and Ticats have each won one game against each other this season. The Blue Bombers defeated the Ticats in their home opener in week one, 49-29. The Ticats defeated the Bombers at Ivor Wynne Stadium in week three, 28-7. The match-up will be the 98th meeting between the two teams since 1950. Winnipeg holds a 54-43 edge in the series.
The Ticats will look to snap their two game losing streak this week. The Ticats travelled to Saskatchewan last weekend, but came out on the wrong end of the 37-24 final score. The Blue Bombers played the Stampeders in Calgary last week but dropped a 23-20 decision.
This will be the third meeting all-time between head coaches Marcel Bellefeuille and Paul LaPolice. Bellefeuille has a career record of 11-20 as a CFL head coach in the regular season and holds a 3-4 record against the Blue Bombers. LaPolice has a career record of 2-3 as a CFL head coach in the regular season and holds a 1-1 record against the Ticats.
2010 STATISTICAL RANKINGS
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Total Offence Per Game |
348.2 (6th) | 389.8 (4th) |
| Rushing Offence Per Game | 70.6 (8th) | 137.2 (3rd) |
| Passing Offence Per Game | 317.8 (3rd) | 270.8 (6th) |
| Total Defence Per Game | 378.6 (5th) | 324.8 (1st) |
| Rushing Defence Per Game | 127.4 (6th) | 101.6 (3rd) |
| Passing Defence Per Game | 266.2 (4th) | 259.6 (2nd) |
| Points Per Game | 23.4 (5th) | 31.4 (3rd) |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 30.6 (T-6th) | 27.4 (4th) |
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arland Bruce / WR / Hamilton
The Winnipeg defence will certainly be watching Bruce after his performance last weekend against Saskatchewan. Bruce hauled in a single-game CFL record tying 16 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Bruce excelled last week in yards after the catch, something the Blue Bombers will want to eliminate. In zone defence situations, look for Bruce to use his experience to find the soft spots and turn these catches into big gains.
Kevin Glenn / QB / Hamilton
Glenn has been racking up the yards in recent weeks, throwing for over 300 yards in three of his five starts this season, including a 425 yard performance last week. Glenn also excels in pass completion percentage and threw for over 80% the last time he played against the Blue Bombers. Glenn’s first drive against the Bombers in week three saw him complete all six of his passes and the Ticats scored a touchdown on that drive. Look for the Ticats offence to try and find that kind of success on the first drive again this week to get them into a groove.
Fred Reid / RB / Winnipeg
Reid has been extremely effective for the Blue Bombers against the Tiger-Cats this season. In the two games the teams have played against one another, Reid has rushed for 182 yards on 21 attempts for an 8.7 yard per carry average. Although sparingly used in the week three meeting between the two teams (eight carries for 84 yards), Reid presents a challenge to a Tiger-Cats defence who rank sixth in the league in rush defence (127.4 yards per game).
Terrence Edwards / WR / Winnipeg
Edwards has been a reliable target for both Blue Bombers quarterbacks this season, as he leads the league in both receiving yards (545) and receiving touchdowns (4). Edwards had a huge game last week in Calgary, catching six passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. In week one against the Ticats, Edwards had two big plays on his way to catching five passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Containing Edwards will be a top priority for the Ticats defence who will look to eliminate any kind of game-changing big play.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tiger-Cats Kicking Game vs. Blue Bombers Return Game
The key match-up in tonight’s game will be the Ticats kicking game against the Blue Bombers return game. Field position will be extremely important in this meeting of Eastern Division opponents and the Ticats have struggled recently in the kicking game. Justin Palardy was inconsistent in the early part of the season and the Ticats had three punts blocked in their first five games, giving a field position edge to their opponents. The Ticats brought in import punter Eric Wilbur this week and he will get the start tonight. It won’t be easy for Wilbur, however, as he will be punting to one of the most dangerous return men in the league in Javon Johnson. If Wilbur can get punts off with good hang time, the Tiger-Cats coverage team should be able to limit Johnson’s returns, shifting the edge in field position.
