The Edmonton Eskimos have enjoyed their best start to a season in 56 years sitting in first place in the Western Division with a 7-0 record.
After playing against the Eastern Division in five of those games, the Eskimos begin a stretch of four straight games versus western opponents on Thursday night when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Investors Group Field.
The Eskimos are four points up on the 5-2 Blue Bombers who have won three straight games and sit tied for third place in the west with the B.C. Lions. A win by the Eskimos would create a six point cushion, but a loss would move the Bombers just two points behind the green and gold. Middle linebacker Korey Jones said points are always valuable in divisional games.
“You know the CFL is a long season and a lot of things can happen especially late, so it’s nice to try to get ahead of curve in terms of points if you can,” Jones said.
“We want to win as many games as we can now and not to say that will set us up to take anything off at the back end of the season because that’s not what we’re trying to do.”
LISTEN: Eskimos head coach Jason Maas before Thursday’s game against the Blue Bombers
The Eskimos have been able to win close games this season due in large part to their success in the fourth quarter. Over their last four games the Eskimos have outscored their opponents 47-16 in the final quarter. Quarterback Mike Reilly is leading the way on offence and last week during the Eskimos 27-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks he set a new franchise record for consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass at 17.
Reilly has a streak of four straight 300 yard passing games.
On defence, defensive end Odell Willis and linebacker Kenny Ladler are leading the way.
Willis leads the CFL in combined sacks and quarterback pressures with 24 (six sacks, and 18 quarterback pressures). Willis has recorded eight pressures in his last two games.
Ladler has made 29 defensive plays over his last four games which includes 22 defensive tackles.
The Eskimos will be without two veteran defensive linemen for Thursday’s game.
Defensive end Marcus Howard has been placed on the six-game injured list while defensive tackle Almondo Sewell has been placed on the one-game injured list.
Both suffered lower-body injuries in last week’s win in Ottawa.
This year’s 5th round pick Kwaku Boateng will make his first CFL start, fellow defensive lineman Mike Moore and Rykeem Yates will also play.
Receiver Duke Williams, along with offensive linemen Justin Sorensen and Danny Groulx, will return to the lineup. Offensive lineman D’Anthony Batiste has been moved back to the practice roster. Receiver Nate Behar comes off the roster and has been place on the one-game injured list.
The following is the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Eskimos:
Offence
Quarterback: Mike Reilly
Running Back: LaDarius Perkins
Offensive Line: Joel Figeuroa-Danny Groulx-Justin Sorensen-Matt O’Donnell-Colin Kelly
Receivers: Vidal Hazelton-Bryant Mitchell-Cory Watson-Duke Williams-Chris Getzlaf
Defence
Defensive Line: Kwaku Boateng-Euclid Cummings-Da’Quan Bowers-Odell Willis
Linebackers: Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga-Korey Jones-Kenny Ladler
Defensive Backs: Johnny Adams-Marcell Young-Josh Woodman-Brandyn Thompson-Mercy Maston
During the Bombers three-game winning streak they have received solid play from quarterback Matt Nichols who is 15-5 since taking over the starters role. Nichols hasn’t thrown an interception during the team’s three-game winning streak; in fact Nichols hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 120 pass attempts.
LISTEN: Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols talks about facing his former team
The Bombers are second in the CFL in average points scored per game with 34.4 points per game, and are on pace to score 62 touchdowns this season. Kicker Justin Medlock has made 12 field goals in his last two games, which is on pace to break his own field goal record of 60 set last season. Winning the turnover battle has been key for the Bombers as they have a plus-five turnover ratio in their last three games.
It’s the first of two meetings between the Eskimos and Bombers this season. They’ll meet again on Sept. 30 in Edmonton.
630 CHED will have live coverage of Thursday’s game starting with Countdown to Kick-off at 5 p.m. The opening kick-off will be at 6:30 p.m.
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