Steve Milton: The ‘Blackout Game’ is first time in seven years Als and Ticats meet in playoffs
Game 15, East semifinal
Montreal Alouettes (7-7) at
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-6)
Sunday Nov. 28, 1 p.m.
Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton
The storyline
This is the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs since the Ticats beat the Alouettes 40-24 to win the 2014 East Final in the first post-season game ever played at Tim Hortons Field. And they've only met six times in the post -season over the last quarter-century with the Ticats winning them all. But different year, different teams, so heading into Sunday those statistics are irrelevant. Montreal is an even different team than the last time they were here in October, when they stormed back from a 14-point deficit to score 17 points in the fourth quarter and another three in overtime to win 23-20 and split the season's series. Vernon Adams Jr. was the quarterback then, but it's Trevor Harris now. Playing for the Ottawa Redblacks, Harris set the CFL post-season record against Hamilton three years ago with six TD passes and a 29-for-32 afternoon in the East final. That capped a remarkable stretch in which he beat the Ticats three times in five weeks, completing 76 of his 96 passes. So, the Ticats are well aware of what he can do. However, in the most recent playoff game at Tim Hortons Field, the 2019 East" final, Harris was at the Edmonton helm and the Ticats won by 20 points and picked Harris off twice. The Ticats have controlled William Stanback reasonably well but the running back remains the pilot light of the Montreal offence, and can change a game single-handedly. He'll be Job One for the Ticat defence and One-B is getting to Harris quickly and early. He counts heavily upon receivers Quan Bray, Jake Wieneke and, if he plays, Eugene Lewis. The Ticats secondary is aggressive and to be effective they've got to get help from Front Four pressure. And that includes limiting Stanback. It's a blackout" clothing game, but Montreal linebacker Patrick Levels says that won't matter and guarantees an Als win.
Key Hamilton roster notes
Travis Vornkahl likely starts at left tackle over the injured Jordan Murray ... Star receiver Bralon Addison, who has played only three games, practised this week but won't play Sunday ... Desmond Lawrence who missed last game, is back at boundary corner ... Halfback Ciante Evans missed Friday's practice and is a game-time decision but Orlondo Steinauer says he's likely playing.
Key Montreal roster notes
Defensive tackle Almondo Sewell is a game day decision ... Eugene Lewis, who was targeted more than any receiver in the league, has a groin injury and may not play ... Vernon Adams Jr. who started both regular season games against Hamilton injured his shoulder and the Als traded and Trevor Harris starts ... WR BJ Cunningham who had 99 yards in the first two games against the Ticats, is on the 6-game injured list.
They said it
As a kid, you run outside of the house and act like you're running into a crowd. At the 2019 East Final, I remember coming out of the tunnel and everyone was all dressed in black and it was kind of smoky. It was like something out of a movie." - Ticats all-star receiver Jaelon Acklin on Tim Hortons Field fans encouraged to participate in a blackout" by wearing black clothes from head to toe.
We will win in Hamilton. Put it as big as you need to put it. Black it out. We coming. The Montreal Alouettes. See you soon." - Montreal linebacker Patrick Levels, who was on a Ticat contract during the cancelled 2020 season, guaranteed a victory speaking to media Monday.
My guys up front, I hang out with them all the time. Having them back another year under our belts is going to continue to build chemistry for the future years. I'm here, I'm ready to ride." - Montreal running back, and MOP finalist, William Stanback after the Als signed offensive linemen Kristen Matte, Sean Jamieson, Philippe Gagnon and former Ticat Landon Rice to two-year contract extensions.
Both my parents are from Hamilton so I spent most of my weekends there visiting grandparents as a kid. My father did some work with the Ticats years ago and I got to stand on the sidelines at Ivor Wynne, so this is a real full circle moment for us." - Ian Thornley, vocalist and guitarist for veteran rock band Big Wreck, which will provide the live halftime entertainment on Sunday. Bassist Dave McMillan lives in Hamilton.
Numb and Numbers
0 - Practices, including training camp, missed this season by Hamilton linebacker Simoni Lawrence, the East nominee for CFL defensive player of the year.
0 - Games missed due to injury (he sat out the lame-duck 2019 season finale) by Ticats left guard and East nominee for offensive lineman of the year, Brandon Revenberg in his five CFL years, all with the Ticats.
3 - Ticats finished in the CFL's top 6 in passes knocked down. Jumal Rolle led with 11, Kam Kelly had 10 and Ciante Evans had 8.
11 - Touchdowns, all on pass receptions, by the Als' Jake Wieneke, the only CFLer in double figures in touchdowns scored.
55 - Yards was the longest field goal in the CFL this year, by since-released Ticat kicker Taylor Bertolet
70.3 - Per cent completion rate for Trevor Harris with Edmonton and, now, Montreal, tops in the CFL and .01 better than Saskatchewan's Zach Collaros.
73 - The number of points by which Hamilton outscored visitors in going 5-2 at home. On the road (3-4) they were only plus-5.
74 - Per cent of the 257 receiving yards the Ticats' Tim White has in the last six games have come after he made the catch.
105 - Passes thrown to Montreal's Eugene Lewis, the only 100-plus targeted player in the league. He caught 62.
1,176 - Yards rushing by the Als' William Stanback, who led the league by 307 yards.
4,004 - Kickoff yards by Montreal's David Cote. No one else was above 3,300. He also kicked off 13 more times than anyone else.
TV: TSN, ESPN2
Audio: Listen.ticat.ca, on the Ticats All Access app and simulcast on 900 CHML.
Steve Milton is a Hamilton-based sports columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: smilton@thespec.com