Untested Masoli gets start for Ticats in East Division semifinal versus Argos

HAMILTON – He started the season fourth on the depth chart but the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ season now rests in Jeremiah Masoli’s hands.

The four-year veteran will make his first playoff start and just the second of his CFL career Sunday when Hamilton hosts the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division semifinal.

“We just have an atmosphere here that everybody has to be ready,” Masoli said Saturday. “We just have a level of commitment that’s the standard in our locker-room that everybody has to prepare and know what they’re doing just in case.”

Masoli has completed 33-of-68 passes (48.5 per cent) for 453 yards with three TDs and three interceptions over his CFL career, which began in 2012 with Edmonton. The 27-year-old San Francisco native was dealt to Hamilton prior to the 2013 season and began 2014 as the backup before falling to No. 4 to start this year.

But with incumbent Zach Collaros (knee) and backup Jeff Mathews (head) both out, Masoli becomes Hamilton’s fourth starter this year. He completed 11-of-21 passes for 148 yards in a TD replacing Jacory Harris in last weekend’s 44-28 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks.

Masoli was the MVP of Oregon’s 42-31 win over Oklahoma State in the ’08 Holiday Bowl before leading the Ducks to the ’09 Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth against Ohio State. On Sunday, he’ll start the biggest game of the year for Hamilton, the Grey Cup finalist the last two seasons.

“Jeremiah has a presence about him . . . it’s very authentic,” said Kent Austin, Hamilton’s head coach/GM. “He’s very confident and he’s every even-keeled with his demeanour but it’s a quiet confidence that he exudes.

“He’s very endearing to his teammates, they know he’s going to do everything he can to win the football game, to be prepared to win the football game.”

Masoli’s first CFL start was a 10-7 loss to Calgary in 2014 where he completed 9-of-20 passes for 107 yards and an interception. The previous game, a 28-24 loss to Edmonton, Masoli replaced an injured Collaros and was 5-of-15 passing for 118 yards with a TD and interception and also lost two of three fumbles.

Masoli’s mobility (30 carries for 145 yards) also makes him a dual threat, something Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich is well aware of.

“We’re going to have to stop basically that wildcat run game they’ll have, first and foremost,” he said. “Then he’s a playmaker once he gets outside the pocket so it’s kind the same mantra I have every week with guys who are mobile: Stop the run first and then make him beat you from the pocket.”

Toronto has an edge at quarterback with 13-year veteran Ricky Ray. Although he’ll make just his third start of the season — Ray opened the year on the injured list following off-season shoulder surgery — the 36-year-old has an 11-5 career playoff record and is a three-time Grey Cup champion.

“I think it (Ray’s experience) is important with the way our team is built now being so young,” Milanovich said. “The way Ricky is, his mannerisms, his demeanour, how he doesn’t get rattled I think does help us in our youth.

“They’re going to hopefully follow Ricky’s lead but they’ve got to stay composed and understand it’s going to be a 60-minute game.”

Ray admitted there were many times this year he doubted he’d play but said he’s benefitted also from his limited field time.

“I feel fresh physically and mentally, that’s the good thing about it,” he said. “Most guys are beat up from the season and a little run down from all the physical abuse and that’s something I haven’t had to deal with.”

The two teams posted identical 10-8 records but Hamilton finished second in the East after sweeping the season series 3-0. Toronto is also 0-5 all-time at Tim Hortons Field — 0-3 versus the Ticats and 0-2 in relocation games played here this year due to scheduling issues at Rogers Centre.

Hamilton won its first 10 games at Tim Hortons Field after it opened in September 2014. Although the Ticats finished just 5-4 there this year, receiver Luke Tasker says they’ll have a decided home-field advantage Sunday.

“I’m not going to underplay that it’s a benefit,” he said. “I am happy we did enough good things this season to have this game at home.

“I think it will be an advantage for us.”

Toronto will be without receiver Kevin Elliott (leg) while Vidal Hazelton (groin), the East Division`s top rookie, is a game-time decision.