Week 10: Otis Floyd Inspires D at La Classique

Over the weekend, Ti-Cats linebacker Otis Floyd announced his retirement after spending twelve seasons in the CFL. Prior to this past Monday's match-up against the division rival Montréal Alouettes, the former #35 gave a spirited speech in the locker room to the troops and lead the Black and Gold onto the field during the player introductions. I don't know what was said behind closed doors, but it certainly inspired the team on a game that 'Cats are always up for: Labour Day at the Ivor Wynne, Classique Edition.

A crowd of 26,964 filled the Bastion on Balsam -- a disappointing non-sell out for a Labour Day game, but we'll attribute that to the "it's not the Argos" factor -- on what turned out to be a barnburner of a game. The action started right on the opening play when a Kevin Glenn pass caught by Maurice Mann was fumbled and returned for a touchdown by De'audra Dix. After a Sean Whyte convert, the 'Cats were down by 7 and the game was but a mere five seconds old. The Tabbies would respond on their next drive as Glenn would march them down the field -- aided by a 39-yard pass interference call on Montréal DB Dwight Anderson when Glenn attempted to find Chris Williams -- and culminated with a *bing bong* Avon (-calling) Cobourne 3-yard scamper for the game's first offensive major.

Alouettes' QB Anthony Calvillo is usually an excellent quarterback with stellar receivers to snare his passes, but the bleu, blanc, et rouge developed an acute case of the "dropsies" as the league's all-time leading passer completed only 17 of his 30 pass attempts for 215 yards. Of course, being sacked twice and coughing up a fumble would add to his list of woes. But when Calvillo did have his receivers hold onto the thrown balls, his target of choice was Jamel Richardson. #18 for les Alouettes would grab 10 passes on the day for 199 yards. However, the most glaring statistic on the Larks was that on the offensive side of the ball, they failed to find the end zone. Both Montréal touchdowns -- the opening play fumble return, and a 50-yard Pick-6 by Anderson off of 'Cats back-up QB Quinton Porter in the 4th quarter -- came on the defensive side of the ball.

The only other Alouette scoring came off the foot of Sean Whyte; who going into the Classique was riding a streak of 22 consecutive field goal attempts made. That streak would end late in the 3rd quarter when Whyte would miss a 33-yarder that Marcus Thigpen ended up conceeding a single point on. The Montréal kicker's streak ended at 24; 4 shy of tying the record for consecutive field goals made by former Saskatchewan Roughrider hoofer Dave Ridgway, set in the 1993 season. However, what the Alouette offense didn't put on the board, the Ti-Cat offense made up for and then some.

Kevin Glenn would recover from the opening play fiasco by completing 14 of 18 pass attempts for 238 yards and throwing 1 touchdown before having to leave the game due to a banged up thumb. Quinton Porter would take over for Glenn and go 2-for-3 with 1 pick for 27 yards, but would rush 7 times for 34 yards and 2 majors; including a 20-yard scamper to the Promised Land that ended with a leaping 360-degree spin to cross the goal line. Avon "Deuces" Cobourne would add to the yards on the ground for the Black and Gold; carrying the rock 19 times for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns of his own. However, the memorable play of the game came within the last 3 minutes of the first half when Glenn would find Chris Williams -- who was being covered by Dwight Anderson all game -- on a tip-drill reception for 47 yards down to the Montréal 1-yard line that lead to the first Porter touchdown. If that doesn't end up on this coming weekend's "Plays of the Week" on TSN, then I know that residential Alouette homer Jock Climie kept it off the list and Rod Black is still a douche.

In the end, the Tigertown faithful would leave the Bastion on Balsam happy as the 'Cats earned a 44-21 victory over the defending Grey Cup champions; temporarily moving the Black and Gold into 2nd place in the CFL's East Division.

Also a big thumbs up to the fans in attendance to donated to this year's "Purolator Tackle Hunger" food drive. Tigertown's generosity brought in 86,400 lbs. of food for Hamilton Food Share, a Hamilton record, and bettering last year's total by 69%. Living proof that those of us who don the Black and Gold have big hearts. Way to go, gang!

What's On Tap...

One of the things synonymous with the CFL is that Labour Day weekend and the week after is a home-at-home series. That means our beloved Boys on Balsam will be making the trek to Percival Molson Stadium at McGill University for the first of two planned visits this regular season. The game is Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. (Editor's note: Note the start time, Red.) on TSN. As always, while you're watching the game, you can follow us along on Twitter as we'll be commen-tweeting the broadcast. @DiefOnCats is the account to tap into.

Until Sunday Tigertown, oskee wee wee!