CFL.ca Staff
#CFLKickoff
CALGARY – What a better way to kickoff the CFL season than with a Grey Cup rematch.
| 2015 #CFLKickoff |
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The wait is finally over: The CFL regular season is underway. One of the opening games for Week 1? A Grey Cup rematch on Friday night. Buy Tickets: Tiger-Cats vs. Stampeders: » Morris: One rematch, two perspectives Season Kickoff: » View 2015 Schedule |
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats head west to McMahon Stadium to square off against the Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders on Friday night.
There are significant storylines going into the game for each team despite neither having played a down in 2015 yet.
For Hamilton, the team is ready to show that it’s moved on from its last-minute loss in the championship game – its second Grey Cup defeat in a row. Beating the Stamps will be the first step.
Meanwhile, Calgary needs to prove that there is no championship hangover. The roster still features two of the top players in the game in Bo Levi Mitchell and Jon Cornish which will leave defences thinking twice all season.
Cornish knows that while the Grey Cup ended in sweet victory for the Stamps, it was a bitter loss for the Ticats. To have a last minute victory called back on a penalty is not how any team envisions its season ending. He is expecting Hamilton to try to make a statement in the rematch.
“I know they’re very well motivated. I know they’re going to come out trying to play better than they did in the Grey Cup, which was very well,” said Cornish.
The workload of Cornish will be something to keep an eye on this season. Even though he only played in nine games Cornish still handily won the rushing title. Still, the team lost three important receivers in the off-season, Nik Lewis, Brad Sinopoli and Maurice Price, and may need to rely on Cornish even more.
He knows it won’t be easy against the Ticats, a defence he admires.
“Hamilton has a very strong defensive line. Their DBs are very good tacklers, I would say some of the best in the league, and their linebacking core is, I would say, underrated.”
The Ticats are still poised to contend in the East Division again after winning it last year. Many of their pieces on offence remain the same and quarterback Zach Collaros looks to take full advantage of the season of experience now under his belt.
If there is one red flag for Hamilton it is injury worries. The roster has already lost Mossis Madu, Brian Bulcke and Linden Gaydosh for the year while C.J. Gable could miss the first month of the season. About 24 hours before kickoff, it was revealed that Nic Grigsby would miss the season opener as well, meaning Ray Holley will be the lead back for the Ticats. He rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in Hamilton’s second pre-season win.
The rash of injuries to Hamilton’s group of running backs could force the Ticats towards a more aerial attack. Collaros feels comfortable with his receivers to answer that call if needed.
“Since day one it’s gotten better. The guys returning, we’ve played a lot of games together, so we already have that chemistry,” said Collaros. “I think Terrence (Toliver) and Tiquan (Underwood) have come in here and done a great job learning the system and getting on the same page as me and the rest of the guys.”
| Player Spotlight |
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RB Jon Cornish
QB Zach Collaros |
Both teams are entering the matchup following undefeated pre-seasons. While too much stock can’t be put into exhibition contests, the depth of each organization was put on display for the rest of the league to take notice.
It will be important for Hamilton to start the season off strong as the Ticats do not host a game at Tim Hortons Field until Week 6. The team is undefeated since moving into the new stadium but doesn’t want to begin the year climbing out of a hole. While a good road trip can lead to team bonding, head coach Kent Austin isn’t forcing anything to happen.
“Those things should happen organically. They should happen on their own because of the relationships that we’ve established on the team, the individual relationships that players have with each other,” said Austin. “Those things should all come from the team, they shouldn’t come from the coaching staff.”
When it comes to chemistry, it is something that Bo Levi Mitchell is readjusting to with his offensive line. Stanley Bryant and Brett Jones are not two linemen that are easily replaceable, though he credits Pierre Lavertu for his work thus far. The duo has been working on its synergy on snaps but feels comfortable in Lavertu’s knowledge of the system.
“I got to commend Pierre for everything he did this off-season to come in and fill-in shoes that is not going to be easy to do. Brett Jones is a guy who was obviously mentally strong but he’s a physically strong player. He was tough, he played all 18 games.”
There are a few new faces but many old ones in the rematch. One thing is clear, this rivalry isn’t going away any time soon.
Game Notes:
| The last time they met |
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Last Meeting: The Stampeders capped off their dominant season by hoisting the Grey Cup with a 20-16 victory over the Ticats. Brandon Banks nearly won the game for Hamilton with a late punt return but it was called back on a holding penalty. |
-The Stamps have won 10 of the last 11 regular season games against Hamilton as wells as the last 10 home contests.
-Calgary is the only team in CFL history to ever increase its win total three years in a row with all years having at least 11 wins (11 wins in 2011, then 12, 14 & 15 in 2014).
-Calgary’s record was 11-2 in 2014 when leading after the third quarter.
-Jon Cornish heads into 2014 looking for a fourth straight CFL rushing title. The last player to do that was Mike Pringle from 1997 to 2000. In 2014 he matched Tony Gabriel’s mark of three straight Most Outstanding Canadian Awards (1976-1978).
-The last time that Hamilton got to the Grey Cup in three straight seasons was 1965 and completed a run of 5 straight appearances. They also got the title game in 1957 through 1959.
-The Tiger-Cats were strong at Tim Hortons Field last year going unbeaten at 6-0 in their six home games. Their 7-2 record at home was their best mark since 2001 but haven’t had a winning record on the road since 2004.
-Zach Collaros did not play in either game against Calgary in the regular season and is 1-0 in his career versus the Stampeders overall (a win with Toronto on Sept. 21, 2013). This will be his second career start at McMahon Stadium.
-The Tiger-Cats will be missing their leading receiver (Luke Tasker), rusher (Mossis Madu) and QB sacker (Eric Norwood) from 2014.
-With files from Ticats.ca, Stampeders.com and Steve Daniel, Head Statistician
