Ticats.ca Staff
After a one-year hiatus, the Labour Classic will return to Hamilton on Monday afternoon as the Tiger-Cats host the inaugural game at Tim Hortons Field vs. the Toronto Arognauts at 1 p.m. (AM900 CHML/ TSN). Following their final bye week of the season, the Ticats look to get back in the win column as they renew their storied rivalry with the Arognauts.
Toronto will be looking to extend their lead in the East Division with a win, after being rolled over 41-27 in Edmonton last week.
TIGER-CATS HISTORY vs. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Tiger-Cats and Argonauts have gone head-to-head in 43 Labour Day Classic games which have resulted in the Ticats posting a 23-19-1 recorded against the Double Blue. Here is a look at the matchup history between the two teams:
| WINS | LOSSES | TIES | PTS FOR | PTS AGAINST | |
| ALL-TIME | 125 | 91 | 2 | 1,895 | 2,413 |
| LAST 10 (TOTAL) | 5 | 5 | 0 | 308 | 301 |
| LAST 10 (at Home vs. Toronto) | 6 | 4 | 0 | 296 | 255 |
| IN 2013: | 2 | 1 | 0 | 91 | 76 |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
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ZACH COLLAROS |
RICKY RAY TORONTO ARGONAUTS QUARTERBACK |
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Health is no longer a question for Ticats quarterback Zach Collarosas the highly-touted free agent signing will return to the helm on Monday. A concussion and back injury suffered in week 2vs. Edmonton kept on the sideline for the next five games. When the Tiger-Cats move into their new digs, Tim Hortons Field, the young quarterback will take on his former squad and new rivals for the first time as a CFL starter. The Labour Day Classic will also mark the first time that he will take the field in front of Hamilton’s faithful. |
In Monday’s Labour Day Classic, Ricky Ray will be looking to bounce back from one of his worst performances as a Toronto Argonaut. Last week in Edmonton, Ray completed just 58.1% of his 43 passing attempts for a total of 277 yards and two touchdowns. The number that uniquely stood out was Ray’s three interceptions which were more than he threw in his 10 starts last season. Although Ray leads the CFL with 2,442 yards and 15 touchdowns, he has surprisingly only eclipsed the 300-yard mark once this season. |
THE BATTLE OF ONTARIO KICKS OFF ON LABOUR DAY
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WR Luke Tasker: Tasker appeared to be one of Zach Collaros’ favourite targets in his first two starts. Tasker, who ranks second on the team in receiving with 21 receptions for 246 yards and one touchdown, was targeted by Collaros 11 times in the first two games of the season.
LB Eric Harris: In week 8, linebacker Eric Harris put together one of most impressive stat lines in Ticats history. Harris registered a 55-yard touchdown, one defensive tackle, one special teams tackle, one quarterback sack, one interception, and one pass knockdown in the Ticats 30-20 loss to Calgary. With Rico Murray sidelined, Harris will get his third start of the season.
DL Sam Scott: Second-year Ticat Sam Scott will get his first taste of action in 2014 come Monday’s Labour Day Classic. Scott, who spent the six games on the Ticats practice roster and injured list, had 16 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack in his four starts in 2013.
GAME NOTES
- Linebacker Marc Beswick currently ranks second all-time in Ticats history for special teams tackles with 115. Beswick needs eight special teams tackles to surpass Rob Hitchcock (122) and become the club’s all-time leader.
- The Tiger-Cats last hosted a Labour Day Classic game on September 3, 2012, a game which featured eight current Ticats players (Beswick, Boudreaux, Giguere, Dile, O’Neill, Simmons, Fantuz, and Fortin). With the addition of Justin Medlock, only nine current Ticats have previously played in a Labour Day Classic game with Hamilton.
- Justin Medlock’s 52-yard field goal vs. Calgary in week 8 is the longest field goal converted by any CFL kicker this season.
- Fourth-year Tiger-Cat Brian Simons will make his 50th career appearance and start on Monday vs. the Toronto Argonauts, while receiver Bakari Grant will make his 50th CFL appearance.
