ARGOANUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – It’s back. The Labour Day Classic has returned after a one year hiatus and we will once again see the Toronto Argonauts march into Ivor Wynne Stadium on Labour Day weekend to take on their Ontario rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
With a year off from the game, tension and excitement will be at an all-time high for the two clubs as both bragging rights and a crucial win in the Eastern Division standings will be on the line.
The Labour Day Classic is the first game of a home and home series with the Ticats, so the Argos will want to get this first win to ensure that they remain ahead of them in the standings. With a loss to Hamilton on Monday, the Argos would slip into a tie with them for second in the East.
Monday will also help break a Labour Day Classic tie, as dating back to 2005, the clubs are 3-3 against one another on the September long weekend. Toronto was victorious in 2008, 2007 and 2005 over the Ticats, while Hamilton has taken the last two Labour Day meetings in 2010 and 2009 as well as a win back in 2006.
Your Argos also hold the points differential advantage against the Ticats on Labour Day, outscoring them 164 to 146 since 2005.
Labour Day Classic Games vs. Hamilton since 2005
|
Mon Sept 06 2010 |
Toronto |
13 |
Hamilton |
28 |
|
|
Mon Sep 07, 2009 |
Toronto |
15 |
Hamilton |
34 |
|
|
Mon Sep 01, 2008 |
Toronto |
34 |
Hamilton |
31 |
|
|
Mon Sep 03, 2007 |
Toronto |
32 |
Hamilton |
14 |
|
|
Mon Sep 04, 2006 |
Toronto |
40 |
Hamilton |
6 |
|
|
Mon Sep 05, 2005 |
Toronto |
30 |
Hamilton |
33 |
However, we all know that it is this season that counts come September 3rd so let’s look at how these two teams stack up in 2012.
The Ticats may appear to have the upper hand as they won the first meeting between these two teams at home on July 14th, winning 36-27. This game saw the Ticats open up a giant 21-0 lead in the first half, and although they gave an extremely valiant effort, the Boatmen were unable to dig themselves out of that deficit.
In that game, Ricky Ray threw for 232 yards and one TD while his QB counterpart Henry Burris totaled 181 yards, three TDs and one pick. Andre Durie lead the way in the passing game with nine catches for 72 yards while Andy Fantusz had his first TD as a Ticat in the game to go along with 71 yards receiving.
What killed the Argos in the game was a monster day from breakout star Chris Williams, who racked up three TDs on the day; one on a missed FG return, one on a punt return and one in the passing game. Williams currently has five special teams touchdowns in 2012, which is tied for the CFL record for special teams TDs in a single season. For the Argos to win this game, limiting Williams and letting him break the CFL record against another team will be necessary for success.
In addition to a solid day on Special Teams, the Argos offence will have to come to play. They currently rank second last in the CFL in total points per game with 22.1, while the Ticats sit atop the league at 29.5.
The place where the Argos trump the Ticats is on the defensive side of the football, as Hamilton ranks last in many major defensive stats. They have allowed the most yards of net offence per game (429.8), have been scored on the most (261 points), and have the least QB sacks (10).
Conversely, the Argos only allow 322.6 yards per game (second in the league) and have been scored on to the tune of 191 points.
If the Argos special teams can keep the Ticats and Chris Williams in check, the Argos defence should be able to limit Burris and company and the Argos can come away with a Labour Day Classic win.
On September 8th your Argos will return to the Rogers Centre for the second part of the home-and-home with Hamilton. To buy tickets click here.