102nd Grey Cup Game : Hamilton TigerCats vs Calgary Stampeders

[OzSome]

The best team in their respective divisions are going to be playing in the Grey Cup on Sunday at BC Place 4pm. I think that would make it a good game.

Hamilton and Calgary played against each other twice this season. Calgary won on both games 10-7 on July 18 at McMahon and 30-20 in Hamilton on August 16. Both RB Jon Cornish of Stamps and Hamilton QB Zach Collaros did not play.

OFFENSE :

QB Bo Levi Mitchell probably had the best game in his CFL career last week. He was throwing with precision especially in the first half against the Edmonton Eskimos. Eskies' D don't have an answer for him at all. For the first time in this season, Mitchell won the Offensive Player of the Week after his spectacular game throwing 22 times and connecting 14 for 336 yards with 4 TD passes. He was actually close to 300 passing yards after the first half already. The best part was he did not throw an interception. Stamps was actually turnover free all game. RB Jon Cornish also won the player of the week award. He was named Canadian Player of the Week, his 6th Canadian Player weekly award this season. Cornish rushed for 54 yards but he caught and ran the ball (after the catch) for 120 yards including 1 rushing TD and 1 catch & run TD. Good to see SB Marquay McDaniel playing again. He scored the first TD against Edmonton on Western Final. WR Eric Rogers scored 2 TD catches last week and he went 3 catches for 60 yards.

DEFENSE :

MLB Juwan Simpson won the Defensive Player of the Week award for his play in Western Final. Simpson was great last week limiting RB John White. Simpson recorded 7 tackles and 1 QB sack. OLB Deron Mayo also played well last week recording 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble. The last time these two teams played in August, Calgary sacked Hamilton QB 4 times (Lemon, Bishop, Johnson and Turner). Unfortunately for the Stamps, it looks like they will be missing DE Charleston Hughes after injuring the other foot and Evans who went down with the injury during the pre-game warm up. Stamps D will have to try to limit Collaros, Grigsby and Fantuz.

SPECIAL TEAM :

It is going to be a huge task to stop speedy returner Brandon Banks this game. Brandon Banks had a huge game against Montreal Alouettes last week returning 3 punt returns for touchdown (one was called-off because of the holding penalty). This guy is fast and can make people miss. Luckily for the Stamps, our special team coverage team have been playing very well the last few games. They had a great job limiting Lawrence of Eskimos last week and even Stefan Logan a few weeks ago. The only question mark in this team right now is kicker Rene Paredes. The way he kicked field goal last season was the opposite this season.

************************************************** *
I have no doubt that the Stampeders will win this game Sunday if they play discipline. They need to pressure the young QB Collaros and not let him run the ball forward. It is going to be a good game and I am so pumped up about it. I just can't wait. Last time they won the Grey Cup I was on the plane coming back from Las Vegas so definitely missed the game live.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!

[Hatter]

The game is on my birthday. Hopefully the Stamps can bring some joy to my inevitable epic hangover!

[tvp2003]

IMO this game will be won or loss by how Hamilton handles the Stamps offence. Here's what I posted in the Western Final thread:

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Good weather + speed + Cornish = big plays in the vertical passing game. With the Esks likely keying on Cornish, BLM could have a big day with Price, West and Rogers stretching the field.

Chris Jones loaded up on the run and BLM burned them badly. I doubt Hamilton makes the same mistake, so this will open up room for the CFL rushing leader and his 7.8 YPC average. If Hamilton can keep them in the low 20's I think they have chance. Otherwise, I don't think Collaros and the Hamilton offence have enough firepower to put up 30+ on the Stamps D.

Last game for Nik Lewis? If so, I hope he can go out in style. He's been a bright spot on this team for so many years and I hope he retires as a Stampeder.

[OzSome]

Key to Hamilton is QB Zach Collaros and returner Brandon Banks. If they can stop those two, they have no chance against the Stamps. I am sure Juwan Simpson and his defensive teammates will play extra hard. Our coverage team has been playing very well of late and will have to play much better. I really think Jon Cornish will rush for over 100 yards. They have to play the same discipline game and turnover free as they played in the Western Final.
Question is who will play on DLine. Hughes will definitely be out, Evans is out, Johnson out, Bishop?? is he hurt? I heard Bolden was close. How about the wideout? I am sure Eric Rogers will be one of the WR... who will sit? Joe West or Maurice Price again? I hope Charbonneau-Campeau plays ahead of Jabari Arthur again.

GO STAMPS GO!!!

[octothorp]

Since this is the last one of the season, it's worth saying, your game previews are great, Ozsome! Thanks for doing these throughout the season.

[tvp2003]

If Jabari Arthur dresses instead of Charbonneau-Campeau I would seriously consider Tonya Harding him out of the lineup. Don't think Huff is that stupid.

Price versus West is an interesting question though -- Price is more of a gamebreaker IMO and his speed could be better utilized in a dome. The problem is that he hasn't played in a month so I'm not sure if we want him knocking off rust in the GC.

[calf]

I am appreciating Brandon Banks' performance in the EF more and more these days. Seems like he's getting all the attention this week, which should hopefully help the Stamps focus more.

[2ArmBands]

Getting on a charter flight on Saturday to Van. Hoping for an upset!

Oskee Wee Wee !!!!!!!

[tvp2003]

Posted this in the YYC Travel Junkie thread but putting it here as well -- still ways to get to BC for the Grey Cup:

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Sunwest Charter to Vancouver for the Grey Cup - $349 after $250 promo code:

Link: https://www.gojumpon.com/booking/48
Promo code: GC102

Leaves Sunday morning at 10:30 AM; departs Vancouver after the game at 10:30 PM. Only 13 seats left, although I don't know how much longer they will accept the promo code (was only posted a couple of hours ago).

P.S. If you're looking for a cheap single ticket, I know a guy http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=141825

[Stay Golden]

Congrats to Jones becomes first CFL player to win rookie of the year and follow that with O lineman. Never been done before!

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Congrats to Jones becomes first CFL player to win rookie of the year and follow that with O lineman. Never been done before!

Jon Cornish won the Outstanding Canadian, Solomon Elimimiam Outstanding Player, Swayze Waters Special Team Player. I didn't catch on who won the Defensive Player but I supposed it could be Elimimiam since he won the OP. McCoil rookie of the year.

[MissTeeks]

Did they get Cornish's team right on his award this year?

[SportsJunky]

I was on a flight from Regina to Calgary a couple of days ago. Packed with rider fans in full regalia. I reminded many that SK wasn't actually playing in the game. They laughed and said they wear their 'colors' everywhere. Anyway, to a man they were cheering for Hamilton. I didn't quite realize how many people hate the Stamps and Stamps fans. Cornish is especially hated by rider fans.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I was on a flight from Regina to Calgary a couple of days ago. Packed with rider fans in full regalia. I reminded many that SK wasn't actually playing in the game. They laughed and said they wear their 'colors' everywhere. Anyway, to a man they were cheering for Hamilton. I didn't quite realize how many people hate the Stamps and Stamps fans. Cornish is especially hated by rider fans.

The consolation is just as many people hate the riders and their super annoying fans. The canucks of the cfl.

[dash_pinched]

Hit 'em again ye men of Calgary

http://argonotes.com/CFLSongs/Calgary.mp3

Lyrics:

Hit em again ye men of Calgary
Get on the ball and let's go marching down the field
Well there's a goal in sight
Play on with all your might
'till the victory's won go out and FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
We're all behind you men of Calgary
So when your backs are to the wall you'll never fear
C'mon you red and white
We need a win tonight
Hit 'em again, ye men of Calgary

[worth]

Is anyone aware of an stream of the game? I'm in Tbilisi, Georgia and Canadian football is not is not a big draw here. Also the game is at like 3am.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I was on a flight from Regina to Calgary a couple of days ago. Packed with rider fans in full regalia. I reminded many that SK wasn't actually playing in the game. They laughed and said they wear their 'colors' everywhere. Anyway, to a man they were cheering for Hamilton. I didn't quite realize how many people hate the Stamps and Stamps fans. Cornish is especially hated by rider fans.

it's just Rider fans who hates the Stamps and Stamps fans.
Why? cause they need a rivalry with a team who was doing well and Winnipeg has been horribly bad in the last few years

Also, when Cornish was a backup to Reynolds, he used to troll RF boards before he got banned. Hilarious stuff. Now he's the best player in the CFL and RFers are eating their words

[RogerWilco]

Flying to Vancouver Sunday morning for the big game!!! Go Stampeders!!!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I was on a flight from Regina to Calgary a couple of days ago. Packed with rider fans in full regalia. I reminded many that SK wasn't actually playing in the game. They laughed and said they wear their 'colors' everywhere. Anyway, to a man they were cheering for Hamilton. I didn't quite realize how many people hate the Stamps and Stamps fans. Cornish is especially hated by rider fans.

Can't fault them for cheering for the Tiger Cats. I was cheering for the Cats last year against the Riders as were most Stamps fans I assume.

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by worth

Is anyone aware of an stream of the game? I'm in Tbilisi, Georgia and Canadian football is not is not a big draw here. Also the game is at like 3am.

If you head over to the CFL subreddit www.reddit.com/r/cfl on game day there should be a GDT that normally contains a list of the streams that are available in the pre-game write up. Hope that helps!