After completing the longest continuous game in CFL history, the Edmonton Eskimos are looking to collect their first win on home field – no matter what the conditions are – when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the home opener on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday evening.
Last week, the Eskimos won 33-30 over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a game that took over six hours to complete after two lightning delays that totaled three hours.
The Eskimos were down by eight points with under six minutes to play and scored 11 points in their final two drives in a 1:23 span. Sean Whyte kicked a 44 yard field goal with 13 seconds left in the game to secure the win.
Quarterback Mike Reilly passed for 408 yards, throwing for one touchdown pass and scoring two touchdowns on the ground. Receiver Derel Walker recorded eight catches for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Injuries are taking their toll on the Eskimos again as they have 13 players on their six-game injured list.
Offensive lineman Tommie Draheim, receiver Vidal Hazelton, defensive linemen Mike Moore and Darius Allen, receiver/returner Jamill Smith and linebacker Adam Konar were all lost in last week’s win.
Only Allen was spared a trip on the six-game injured list as he remains on the 46-man roster. Defensive back Forrest Hightower practiced for most of the week, but left early on Wednesday and has been placed on the six-game injured list.
Newly signed offensive lineman Travis Bond will make his Eskimos debut after being signed on Monday. Bond is a former CFL and Western Division All-Star with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was released by the Riders after their training camp. Bond will start at left guard, David Beard will move from left guard to right guard and Matt O’Donnell will move from right guard to left tackle.
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LISTEN BELOW: Eskimos head coach Jason Maas on the changes to his offensive line for Friday’s game
Defensive back Aaron Grymes will make his season debut after missing last week’s game because of a personal matter. Rakin Cox will debut on the defensive line after being signed on Monday. Receiver Miles Shuler will play his first CFL game on Friday, Bryant Mitchell and fullback Pascal Lochard have been added to the active roster.
The following is the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Eskimos:
Offence
Quarterback: Mike Reilly
Running Back: C.J. Gable (Fullback: Calvin McCarty)
Offensive Line: Matt O’Donnell-Travis Bond-Justin Sorensen-David Beard-Colin Kelly
Receivers: Derel Walker-Duke Williams-Natey Adjei-Kenny Stafford-Miles Shuler
Defence
Defensive Line: Kwaku Boateng-Almondo Sewell-Jake Ceresna-Alex Bazzie
Linebackers: Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga-J.C. Sherritt-Chris Edwards
Defensive Backs: Nick Taylor-Aaron Grymes-Neil King-Money Hunter-Jordan Hoover
Johnny Manziel has dominated the headlines surrounding the Hamilton Tiger-Cats even since he signed with the team back on May 19. Despite the hype from the former Texas A and M star and former member of the Cleveland Browns, Jeremiah Masoli remains as the starter.
Masoli passed for 344 yards in a losing cause to the Calgary Stampeders last Saturday. Despite being able to move the ball last week and scoring a 13 yard touchdown run, Masoli threw a key interception in the fourth quarter which helped the Stampeders to a 28-14 win.
Masoli will start on Friday and be helped by the return of former 1,000 yard receiver Terrance Toliver, who missed all of the 2017 season with a knee injury.
On defence, the Tiger-Cats signed former CFL and Eastern Division All-Star Delvin Breaux on Monday. The defensive back will play his first CFL game since the 2014 Grey Cup game in Vancouver. Breaux spent the last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
A reminder that fans with a game ticket will be able to ride ETS for free starting at 4 p.m. The 50-50 will start with a jackpot of $70,000 to celebrate the 70th year of the Edmonton Eskimos franchise. The first 7,000 fans will receive a free 50-50 ticket. The gates will open at 6 p.m.
You can hear live coverage of the Eskimos home-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on 630 CHED following live coverage of the NHL Entry Draft and the Oilers 10th overall selection, and join Dave Campbell and Morley Scott live from the broadcast booth on Facebook at 7 p.m.
The opening kick-off on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium will be at 8 p.m with Dave Campbell and Morley Scott calling all of the live action. Plus, hear analysis from former Eskimos offensive lineman and two-time Grey Cup champion Blake Dermott and Brenden Ullrich reporting from the Eskimos sidelines.
As well, Global Edmonton is producing a 30-minute special all about the fan experience at the Eskimos’ home opener on June 22. Click here to find out how you can be a part of it.
Watch below: How much do the Edmonton Eskimos players know about their team’s history? Quinn Phillips puts a few of them to the test.
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