Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
It’ll be another grudge match for the Tiger-Cats this weekend, as they host the Calgary Stampeders at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
The last time these two teams met, the Stamps narrowly edged out the Ticats on a final-minute touchdown from quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell after Hamilton led for much of the game.
“We let that one slip away,” said defensive lineman Torrey Davis. “We are (looking to get revenge), and we will.”
Davis and the defensive line stood tall last time around, limiting Stampeders running back Jon Cornish to just 72 yards on the ground with no touchdowns. They’ll hope for the same level of success this weekend, and aim for the eighth consecutive game without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
“Personally I pride myself on stopping the run, I go into the game thinking that it’s not going to happen when I’m inside,” said Davis. “Cornish is a great running back, but he’s not unstoppable, just like everybody else in the league.”
New to the Tiger-Cats line-up this weekend is receiver Luke Tasker – son of NFL special teams legend Steve – who played previously under Head Coach Kent Austin and offensive coordinator Tommy Condell at Cornell. Signed just last week, Tasker will be pressed into a starting role with leading receiver Greg Ellingson out with an injury.
But that short turnaround time doesn’t have Tasker (or Austin) nervous about his debut, as the offensive scheme the Ticats use this year is similar to the one Austin engineered at Cornell.
“I’m confident in the young man,” said Austin. “Obviously it’s a different game, but if anyone can pick it up quickly it’s him.”
Tasker has seemingly proven his coach correct, adjusting to the CFL game in just six days of practice, and already mastering the waggle.
“The biggest difference for the receiver’s game is just being able to not only time up with the ball but be smart with the way you use it each play and set yourself up to succeed,” he said. “But I feel like I’m getting more comfortable each day in practice and I’m excited for the weekend. I feel like I have a good grasp of what the concepts are and what we’re trying to do.”
Replacing Ellingson’s production won’t be easy, but Austin admits that there are some similarities between the two rookies, including some terrific hands.
“They both have terrific ball skills,” he said. “They’re both really bright, and they can play in more than one position which is important for our offence.”
The Tiger-Cats will play their first game in Guelph since September 7th this weekend, and Davis admits he’s looking forward to getting back onto familiar turf for Saturday’s battle with the Stampeders.
“I’m very excited,” he said after the team’s final practice Thursday. “I know it’s not necessarily in Hamilton, but that’s home for us, and we take pride in going out there in Guelph and giving fans what they want to see.”
And Davis believes that the team can deliver a win to the Ticats faithful, as proven by the last contest between the two teams.
“Calgary is a very good football team, and just to see that we can hang with them, beat them, that gives us confidence going forward.”
