Rick Zamperin
7/5/2012
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will try to rebound from their season opening loss when they visit the B.C. Lions tonight.
The 0-and-1 Ticats certainly have history on their side as they get set to battle the defending Grey Cup champions at the renovated B.C. Place Stadium.
Hamilton has won three straight games in Vancouver, and have beaten the Lions in five of their last six meetings overall.
In fact, the Cats are the last CFL team to beat the Leo’s when they hammered B.C. 42-10 on October 22, 2011 at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
The Lions rebounded and roared all the way to their Grey Cup victory last November.
B.C. has not lost since moving back into the new B.C. Place Stadium.
Their previous two losses to Hamilton came at the temporary Empire Field.
Hamilton’s defence, which allowed 46 points to Saskatchewan last week, will have to contend with reigning Most Outstanding Player Travis Lulay and all-time receiving yards leader Geroy Simon.
The two players were pivotal to the Lions’ 33-16 victory over Winnipeg last week.
One of last week’s sore spots for the Tabbies was yards after the catch.
The Riders accumulated a CFL opening week best 235 yards after the catch, highlighted by Weston Dressler’s 121.
He finished the game with 180 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Ticats offence will also have to generate more than the 16 points they mustered against the Roughriders to have any shot at beating the high octane Leo’s.
But it won’t be easy.
B.C.’s defence is led by sack masters Keron Williams, Khalif Mitchell and Khreem Smith, as well as a stout secondary that includes Byron Parker, Ryan Phillips and Korey Banks.
Friday night’s game also marks the first head-to-head matchup between head coach George Cortez and Mike Benevides.
CHML’s coverage of the game, brought to you by Terra, Canada’s toughest safety boots, begins with the pre-game show at 9pm.
Kickoff is at 10 o’clock Eastern Time.
You can also follow the action on Twitter @AM900CHML.
And if you happen to miss some or all of the game, you can visit Ticats Nation for game highlights and post-game interviews.
Click here to see the Ticats depth chart.
Click here to view the Lions depth chart.
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