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Mathews shines in TiCats victory

News, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders

After watching Friday night’s game between the Tiger-Cats and Roughriders, one thing is clear: The Saskatchewan Roughriders have given up. There was still a “mathematical” chance that the Riders could squeak into the playoffs but at this point, I’m not even sure they want to.

By contrast, Hamilton is a team hungry for first place in the East and, with Zach Collaros sidelined for the year, they want to focus on getting rookie quarterback Jeff Mathews up to speed in time for a playoff run. Mathews, who’s familiar with head coach Kent Austin after his time at Cornell, suddenly looked like an all-star against the porous Rider defense.

Hamilton was one of the teams many were speculating would try to trade for Kevin Glenn. After completing 65% of his passes for 67 yards and an interception, do they even want to?

 

I don’t blame them.

Instead of playing the role of spoiler, the Riders seem to be playing the role of confidence-builder and Mathews should have no shortage of that following this game. I’d like to see the Riders win another game (obviously) but with Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal left on the schedule, it’s just not going to happen. Saskatchewan might be considered a free spot on the Bingo card the reason of the season.

Toronto and Ottawa are right on Hamilton’s heels in the race for the East title – in fact, Calgary and Edmonton are *still* the only teams that have clinched playoff berths. It’s only one game and it *is* the Roughrider defense, but Jeff Mathews showed that he has the talent to keep Hamilton in first place.

– written by Travis Currah