The first month of 2012 is starting to look a little bit familiar to the British Columbia Lions, a period of struggle where the wins aren't coming easily, in fact only once thus far since Canada Day.
If the pay off for these early struggles is the same as last year, then the Grey Cup champion Lions will probably take it, but still, winning a few games through the summer months is probably still high on coach Mike Benevides to do list.
Towards that goal the Lions head into Calgary tonight, taking on a beat up Calgary squad that has put its hopes into the hands of Kevin Glenn, who has taken over for the injured and now recuperating Drew Tate and will be in charge of the Stamps offence through the season now.
Glenn has been solid, though sporadic at times in his return to the marquee role for a CFL team, perhaps not unexpected for a back up now put in charge, though for the Stamps the confidence of having someone with Glenn's experience is probably a helpful thing as John Hufnagel tries to retool his team and move forward.
On the other side of that scrimmage line the Lions defence will be looking to have another solid effort, punishing the running game and causing havoc with any aerial plans the Stamps may have.
On offence the Lions will be looking to cut down on the turnovers, a challenge of the last few weeks that have done more to turn the tide of the game than anything else. The untimely mistakes have been taken advantage of the opposing squads with relish, the Stamps will be looking to add to the Lions misery as best they can.
The West has quickly become a division where the standings can change with every completion of the weekend, the Stamps and Lions but two points behind the Riders and Eskimos currently holding down the top spot in the division.
It could be a pattern that carries forward through until November, though both teams probably are more inclined to take things one weekend at a time at the moment, so by the time game four on the weekend schedule comes to an end, one or the other is most likely hoping to have vaulted ahead of the other, with first perhaps still in their grasp.
Game Time 7 PM MT (9 ET, 6 PT) McMahon Stadium TSN
British Columbia 34 at Calgary 8 (27,968)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Lions-Stampeders game promises to go down to the wire
National Post-- Tad Kornegay adds new dimension to Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders target talented QB Lulay
Calgary Herald-- Cornish gears up to grind out a greater ground game
Vancouver Province-- Patience key to Leos' success: Lulay
Vancouver Sun-- For Travis Lulay it's never over 'til it's over
Team Backgrounders
British Columbia Lions
Calgary Stampeders
Post Game
CFL.ca-- Game Recap
CFL.ca-- Video Highlights
Globe and Mail-- Travis Lulay propels Lions to 34-8 romp of Stampeders
Calgary Sun-- Stampeders thrown to the Lions
Calgary Herald-- Stamps boss will work to find out what went wrong
Vancouver Province-- Lions dominate Stampeders, snap two-game skid
Vancouver Sun-- Lulay outstanding as Lions clobber Stampeders
Three downs, a bigger ball, wider field and a lot more entertainment! The world of Canadian Football.
Showing posts with label July 28. Show all posts
Showing posts with label July 28. Show all posts
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
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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