Saturday, July 28, 2012

CFL Game Day: Hamilton at Saskatchewan (July 28, 2012)

Saskatchewan is hoping for a bounce back game on Saturday, as they take to the field at Mosaic Field having surrendered their undefeated status last week in Calgary. The Riders who allowed the Stamps back into a game that they thought they had under control, learned a valuable lesson last Thursdays night, never let up, never take a win for granted.

The miscues that led to that collapse in Calgary no doubt were reviewed and re-emphasized by head coach Corey Chamblin and while losing their undefeated title for 2012 probably smarts, perhaps the greater goal of a long run into the Grey Cup in November will have been served by the loss.

Regardless, they had best shake off the last week's disappointment for they take on a Tiger Cat that it appears is starting to hit its stride.  Henry Burris had one of the best performances of the last few years against Montreal,  connecting with a wide cross section of his receivers for massive yardage.

Burris returns to Mosaic, a place he once was the marquee attraction at.  A lot of time has passed since he wore the Green and White and he's  no longer playing for the Riders rivals in Calgary, still a return to Regina for any player is always an interesting experience, never more so for the Cats who in addition to Burris bring former Rider Andy Fantuz back to familiar terrain.

It should be a very interesting experience for both on Saturday, as the large crowds of Mosaic provide a welcome to the one time Riders.

The Cats also bring some excitement with them on Special teams, a segment of the Ti Cat playbook that looks to be on track  the Cats Chris Williams rattling off yardage at a record clip. Williams as well learned a lesson last week, showboating is a costly thing to take on, especially when you are run down and hauled down before your showboating is completed, detracting from what would have been another remarkable run.

A lesson learned no doubt, after Williams felt the wrath of the Tiger Cat faithful for his miscue and we suspect he won't be doing that any more, having apologized not only to his own team and their fans, but to the Montreal Alouettes and their coach for his arrogance.

No doubt the Ti Cats will wish to return the favour of the Riders from week one, where Saskatchewan totally dominated the Cats in their home opener over the Canada Day weekend, that's a performance that we imagine is still fresh in their minds some four weeks later.

The one advantage of football is that each week offers up an opportunity to show if you have learned from your past, the result of Saturday's game will give us an idea which team has the better students.

Game Time-- 6 PM ET (2 ST, 3 PT) Mosaic Field TSN


Hamilton 35 at Saskatchewan 34 (32,898)

Pre Game

CFL Video Preview

Globe and Mail-- Andy Fantuz returns to Regina to face Roughrider fans
National Post-- Ticats' Andy Fantuz ready for anything in return to Saskatchewan
Hamilton Spectator-- Tiger-Cats, 'Riders take stock tonight
Toronto Sun-- Fantuz coming 'home'
Regina Leader Post-- Playing at home draws Brendon LaBatte, Andy Fantuz

Team Backgrounders

Hamilton Tiger Cats
Saskatchewan Roughriders

Post Game


CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights

Globe and Mail-- Fantuz, Burris rally Tiger-Cats past Roughriders
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats enjoy great comeback win - that ain't no lie
Toronto Sun-- Ticats storm back to sack Riders
Regina Leader-Post-- Murray's mutterings and mumblings over Saturday's defeat

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