Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Even the crowd seemed exhausted after only four days rest after an emotionally charged Labour Day Classic on Monday. The Ticats just couldn’t seem to get anything going on offence and eventually fell to a rested Alouettes squad 27-6.
The team came into the game with the goal of keeping quarterback Adrian McPherson from getting outside of the tackles, but didn’t count on the success he would have up the middle.
McPherson found success on the ground with 121 yards on 16 carries, most of them coming on play where he was able to step up in the pocket and escape up the middle.
“We knew he could run but we missed a whole bunch of tackles and he was able to get loose up the middle,” said defensive end Justin Hickman.
Even though the Ticats were able to shut down Avon Cobourne, McPherson’s ability to move the chains on second down hurt them time and again.
After playing such an emotionally draining game on Monday, it was obvious that the Ticats were suffering the consequences of playing on only four days rest.
“We just couldn’t string positive plays in a row, it was like a wrestling match and we just couldn’t get out of the pin,” said receiver Arland Bruce III.
No matter the score or the circumstances the Ticats showed they wouldn’t go down without a fight, as after the Als second interception Arland Bruce took exception to the excessive celebrating of Montreal’s secondary, sparking a scrum at midfield.
“You’re not going to celebrate on my field like that, I don’t care who you are,” said Bruce.
After the dust settled, the Alouettes received three penalties, including an ejection of defensive back DeAudra’ Dix and the Ticats one.
After winning four games in a row the Ticats will take this game as a wakeup call and attempt to begin a new winning streak when they head to B.C. next weekend to take on the Lions.
“That’s the beauty of the game today, we’re not cleaning out our lockers and going home, we get to go back to work and get ready to play another game next week,” said Bruce.
