Ticats.ca Staff
Coming off a short week of practice, the Tiger-Cats return to McMaster University’s Ron Joyce Stadium for their first meeting of the season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (AM900 CHML / TSN).
The Tiger-Cats enter week six on a high after notching their first win, a 33-23 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS last Saturday. Winnipeg arrives in Hamilton looking to extend their win streak on the road to three games following a dominant 23-6 victory over the B.C. Lions at B.C. Place last week.
TIGER-CATS HISTORY vs. WINNIPEG
The Tiger-Cats hold a five-game win streak against Winnipeg, dating back to October 27, 2012 – the final game at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The 2014 season series saw the Ticats rout the Bombers 4-0 with a point differential of 77 points.
| WINS | LOSSES | TIES | PTS FOR | PTS AGAINST | |
| ALL-TIME | 50 | 59 | 0 | 2,572 | 2,030 |
| LAST 10 (TOTAL) | 5 | 5 | 0 | 224 | 230 |
| LAST 10 (vs. WPG at home) | 4 | 6 | 0 | 256 | 214 |
| IN 2013: | 4 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 59 |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
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MARCELLUS BOWMAN |
NIC GRIGSBY WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS |
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After missing the first two games of the season due to injury, second-year Tiger-Cats linebacker (and former Blue Bomber) Marcellus Bowman has made his mark in the last two contests. Starting at weakside linebacker in place of Simoni Lawrence, Bowman registered a total of 14 defensive tackles, nine of which came vs. Calgary on July 18. Bowman’s 14 defensive tackles ranks him third on team. With linebacker Simoni Lawrence returning to the lineup this week, the Ticats defence will feature Bowman’s long and physical presence inside at the middle linebacker spot. |
Rookie running back Nic Grigsby been a huge part of the Bombers offensive success through the first five weeks of the season. Grigsby, who amassed 139 combined yards in his CFL debut, currently leads the CFL in rushing touchdowns (3) and is ranked second in the league in rushing yards with 287. In three of the Bombers first five games, he has recorded at least 100 combined yards. Grigsby will be looking to return to the success he had earlier in the season, as he has only averaged a measly 3.9 yards per touch in his last two games. |
LAWRENCE RETURNS
Linebacker Simoni Lawrence returns to the lineup this week after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. Despite his two-game absence, Lawrence still leads the team in tackles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LB Rico Murray: After sitting out the last two games due to injury, linebacker Rico Murray will return to the lineup on Thursday. Murray, who leads the Ticats in interceptions in 2014, registered seven defensive tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception in two games vs. Winnipeg in 2013.
DE Antonio Coleman: Ticats defensive end Antonio Coleman will make his Ticats debut versus the Blue Bombers. Coleman suited up in one game with Saskatchewan last season but spent a majority of the year on the Riders practice roster.
WR/KR Quincy McDuffie: With regular return man Brandon Banks ruled out of Thursday’s tilt with an injury, the Ticats have called upon rookie Quincy McDuffie to fill the void in his CFL debut. McDuffie finished his NCAA career as the UCF all-time leader in kickoff returns (90), kickoff return yards (2,501) and kickoff return touchdown (6).
GAME NOTES
- Ticats running back C.J. Gable was in full effect in week 5, amassing 167-combined yards (105 receiving, 62 rushing) vs. the REDBLACKS. Following Saturday night’s victory, the Ticats are now 7-3 when Gable posts 100+ combined yards.
- Linebacker and special teams ace Marc Beswick needs a total of nine special teams tackles to break Rob Hitchcock’s Tiger-Cats record (122).
- Last Saturday, Dan LeFevour became just the seventh Tiger-Cats quarterback to rush for over 100 yards in a game, joining Bernie Faloney, Frank Cosentino, Chuck Ealey (three times), Ken Hobart, Damon Allen and Casey Printers. It was the 56th time a quarterback has ran for 100+ yards in a game and the first time anyone has done it in their first career start.
- Andy Fantuz hauled in five passes for 39 yards vs. Ottawa last week. Fantuz’s five catches marks the 20th game that he has recorded 5+ receptions as a Tiger-Cat, the third consecutive regular season game he has done so.
- After giving up 17 quarterback sacks in the first three games, the Tiger-Cats gave up just one sack last week against Ottawa. – 10 in week 1, 4 in week 2, 3 in week 3, 1 in week 5.
- This the first time since 2011 that Hamilton and Winnipeg are meeting having both won their previous game since an August 26, 2011 matchup at Canad Inns Stadium.
