The Hamilton Tiger-Cats meet the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium in Calgary Saturday afternoon. The Ticats edged the Stamps 30-23 in their previous meeting back in mid-July.
With weeks to go before the playoffs, Stampeders’ head coach Dave Dickenson is making sure his players have their eyes on the prize.
“You can see there’s still seven games, but most people know where we’re at and how close we are to getting an opportunity,” he said. “We want to make the playoffs first, then we want to win the West, and after that you’re hopeful to get another chance at the Grey Cup.”
» Depth Charts: HAM | CGY
As for the league best Ticats, they’re blocking out any noise about their team and their record. Despite leading the CFL, the Ticats have yet to rank higher than second in the CFL.ca Nissan Titan Power Rankings, and currently sit third.
“I do not stay up at night (worrying about it),” Ticats head coach Orlondo Steinauer said. “Our record is what it is. However people want to view it, it’s fine. I wouldn’t feel any differently about our ball club if we were .500.
“I know how we come to work every day. I’m really not interested in other people’s opinions.”
“I don’t have cable. I don’t watch the TSN panel. I don’t watch the power ranking, whatever that is. None of that, absolutely none of it,” Ticats defensive tackle Dylan Wynn said. “It’s great for fans, and it (creates) amazing talking points. And I guess it would be fun guessing who would win every week, but no. Not at all.”
Meanwhile, Calgary receiver Reggie Begelton continues his crusade for the league’s receiving triple crown, currently leading in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
“It feels good to have your work noticed,’’ he said. “I’m not going to deny that. We all have some sort of ego. So compliments are always nice to hear. But you never know from game to game how many times you’re going to be targeted or how many catches you’ll be able to make.”
But even he knows what his team’s true ambitions are.
“We, as a group, have a goal for the end of the year,” he added. “And I’m pretty sure you know what that goal is. I missed the Grey Cup last year, so I want to get back there and I want to play, especially with the game being here in Calgary.”
The Stamps will make a few changes to their lineup, with linebacker Dwayne Norman, offensive lineman David Brown and defensive lineman Chris Casher drawing in. Casher was activated from the team’s one-game injury list after he was injured in a car crash. The 25-year old has three sacks in nine games this season.
“Unexpected. Stuff happens, it’s life,” Casher told the Calgary Sun earlier this week. “(The Stampeders) just wanted to be on the safe side and make sure I was OK.”
Running back Asnnel Robo was also activated from the one-game injury list but he’s on the practice roster. Running back William Langlais and offensive lineman Ucambre Williams were both moved to the one-game injured list.
Receiver Kamar Jorden joined his teammates at practice this week but he’s not close to returning. He injured his MCL, PCL, and ACL in last year’s Labour Day Classic.
The Ticats will have linebacker Nick Shorthill in the lineup alongside left tackle Kelvin Palmer. Shorthill will replace linebacker Jay Langa, who’s on the six-game injured list. Receiver Brian Jones won’t be in the lineup as he’s on the one-game injured list.
Jackson Bennett will get the start at running back for the Tabbies, with Anthony Coombs also expected to make an impact. The team signed Tyrell Sutton this week, who practised but won’t make his debut.
BY THE NUMBERS
2-27 — Since 1989, the Tiger-Cats have only won twice in Calgary. Hamilton’s victory over the Stamps on July 13 was their first in Calgary since July 4, 2004.
100 — Stampeders receiver Reggie Begelton is trying to become the first Calgary receiver to lead the league in receiving since Nik Lewis did in 2012. He made 100 catches that year.
138 — Ticats receiver Brandon Banks needs 138 more receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the third straight year. The last receiver to do that was Darren Flutie (1999-2001).
0 — Stamps’ quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has never lost a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, having defeated them 11 times. He puts his undefeated record on the the line Saturday.
AFI, Yare Media and the CFL
American Football International is collaborating with Yare Media and the Canadian Football League to present 2019 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the top flight TSN network television broadcast.
LIVE STREAM PPV: CFL –Hamilton Tiger-Cats @Calgary Stampeders, Sat. Sept. 14, 2p (4p EDT, 10p CEDT)
