The question brought a chuckle from Orlondo Steinauer.
Will the Hamilton Tiger-Cats score a defensive touchdown in their game Thursday night against the Montreal Alouettes at Tim Hortons Field?
“Can we?” said the Ticats’ defensive co-ordinator. “Of course we can.
“Will we? I can’t predict that. I don’t have a crystal ball. We definitely have the ability to score touchdowns.”
Steinauer is correct in saying he can’t predict the future. But if the past is any indication, the odds are good the Hamilton D will find a way into the end zone against the Als.
It also certainly would be a fitting tribute on the night the Ticats retire Angelo Mosca’s No. 68.
Steinauer wasn’t making any promises.
“I don’t think you can really plan to score defensive touchdowns,” said the former defensive back who won two Grey Cups in 13 seasons in the CFL.
“There might be some thought process as to if we confuse this guy a little bit, we may be able to get some interceptions or some turnovers. As far as when do (touchdowns) happen and how they happen, it’s more of an instinctual play after you get it.”
In eight games this year the Tiger-Cat defence has scored eight touchdowns. The record for defensive scores in a season is 11 set by the 1987 BC Lions.
The ball-hawking Hamilton secondary has returned six interceptions for touchdowns. That’s one short of the CFL record of seven set by Toronto in 2006. Second year defensive back Emanuel Davis leads the league with three touchdowns off interceptions.
In his two previous seasons with Hamilton defensive end Eric Norwood had never scored a touchdown. This year he’s returned fumbles for majors in back-to-back games. His 106-yard ramble in last week’s 49-20 demolition of the Edmonton Eskimos was the third longest in CFL history.
“I just try to be around the ball,” said the six-foot-one, 252-pound native of Acworth, Ga. “Good things happen when you fly around.”
WATCH: Norwood recovers fumble, sprints for 106-yard touchdown
