Hamilton, ONT: What was suppose to be the CLASH OF THE Qb’s, Henry Burris and Kevin Glenn, turned into a nothing CLASH.
The Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Tiger Cats were set for a heated cross-division battle at Ivor Wynne Stadium. As Burris and Glenn were set to square off against their former teams. Thursday’s game was the first meeting between the Stamps and the Ti-Cats this season, it was also the first time Burris and Glenn (who were traded for each other) would face one another.
It was safe to agree that both Burris and Glenn were looking to make a big impact against their former teams that let them go.
With torrential downpours greeting both teams and fans alike, it was a sea of YELLOW rain coats that filled Ivor Wynne Stadium. With three consecutive wins, the Ti-Cats and Qb Burris are on a roll and coming off a wild come from behind 35-34 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in hostile Regina.
With both Qb’s hoping to stick it their former teams early, the defenses maintained their composure, as both played to two-and outs on thier opening two possessions. Jon Cornish and Glenn, the offence would begin to generate with eight minutes remaining in the opening quarter, but unable to put up any points.
The defence would continue and make their marks in the first half as the fifteen minutes of action saw limited offensive activity, highlighted by the teams playing to a scoreless quarter.
The Ti-Cats finally got their offence rolling in the second quarter, as Burris led a furious nine-play 64 yrd drive that was capped off by Walker’s sixth Td of the year. The Ti-Cats took advantage of three pass interference penalties committed by the Stampedes, two of which extended the drive on second down plays. The Stamps kick returner Taylor returned a 45yrd Bartell offering 42yrds to the Ti-Cats 21yrd line. On the very next play Cornish hopped into the end zone…..Score 7-7
With just over two minutes reaming in the first half, the Ti-Cats would come alive once again, this time Burris completed three consecutive drives to Fantuz, Ondrea Jones, and Dave Stalla for a pair of first downs, the drive would end forcing kick Congie to connect on a 45yrd field goal, that would give the Ti-Cats the lead at half time, 10-7.
The second half started off with fireworks, as the Calgary special teams continued to wreak havoc over the Tiger-Cats. After Glenn was unable to get anything going on the half’s opening drive, Ticats returner Chris Williams bobbled Rob Maver’s punt, allowing Malik Jackson to recover the ball on Hamilton’s 18-yard line. Williams’ error proved costly for the Ti-Cats, as the Stamps were able to even the score once again, thanks to a 25-yard field goal by Rene Paredes. But Williams would make up for his mistake on Hamilton’s next possession, kicking off the drive with a 23-yard reception to bring the Ticats into Calgary territory. Williams grab was the second of four consecutive completions by Burris.
Despite being in synch with his receivers, Burris was unable to connect with an open Stala in the endzone, forcing Congi to connect on his second field goal of the night, giving the Ticats a 13-10 lead. However, the back-and-forth action continued, as Cornish ran a lengthy seven-play drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown by Mitchell, giving the Stamps their first lead of the game.
Calgary’s lead was short-lived.
With the third quarter inching closer to its end, the Ticats offence would once again look towards Walker for a boost. The CFL rookie would take off for a huge 47-yard run, just barely crossing the corner of the endzone, to give the Tiger-Cats a 20-17 lead as the third quarter ended. The Td ended a five-play, 85-yard drive, one that also featured the first CFL catch for 2012 draft pick Simon Charbonneau-Campeau.
Calgary’s offence would be quick to respond, as Cornish would once again burn the Tiger-Cats on the ground. Two consecutive rushes for a combined 35 yards helped set up an eight-yard touchdown run by Bryant, giving the Stampeders a 24-20 lead. Calgary would increase its lead 11 with 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, as Glenn hooked up with Lewis for an eight-yard touchdown. The score was Lewis’ league-leading seventh touchdown of the season.
Next Game: 08=16 Hamilton @ Winnipeg 8:00 pm
GO CATS GO!!!
-Laura Shea
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The Cats don’t need sacks to feed the hungry. They could just collect all the eggs they’ve been laying at Never Wynne, over the last few years and donate them. Could probably feed the entire planet with them all. Next game, I’m bringing a frying pan and egg beater with me for sure. Anybody have an extra basket?