By Canadian Press

Masoli and Streveler ready for QB showdown as Bombers visit Tiger-Cats

Jun 28, 2018 | 3:30 PM

HAMILTON — Jeremiah Masoli and Chris Streveler are off to impressive starts to the CFL season, but neither sees their meeting on Friday as a quarterback shootout in the making.

The two young QBs were named to the CFL’s top performers list at the start of the week, but both say they will be focused on beating opposing defences instead of each other when Masoli’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats play their home opener against Streveler’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“I think I’ve gotten asked this every week so far, and my response been the same: when I’m out there, I’m playing against their defence,” said Streveler. “That’s going to be enough of a challenge for me.

“I’m competing against their defence, I’m not competing against their quarterback. We’re not going to be out there at the same time.”

Streveler echoed what Masoli had said earlier in the day.

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“Nah, I’m not playing against him,” said Masoli. “That’s our defence and we’ve got total confidence in our defence.”

When Streveler was told that he and Masoli had similar responses, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“You probably ask any quarterback and they’ll say the same exact thing,” said Streveler.

Although they’re not seeing it as a QB tete-a-tete, it should be an exciting showcase of two of the best offences in the league.

Masoli is second in the CFL with 676 passing yards and has a 67.7 pass completion percentage, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Streveler is fourth in the league with 424 passing yards but has six touchdowns, most of any QB so far this season. The Bombers rookie has connected on 66.1 per cent of his pass attempts and also has two interceptions.

Last week, Masoli was No. 3 on the CFL’s top performer list after leading the Ticats to a 38-21 win in Edmonton. Streveler was second after Winnipeg’s 56-10 rout in Montreal.

Consistent drives were key to both teams’ victories, with the Bombers getting 36 first downs and Hamilton earning 32. Winnipeg leads the league with 54 and the Ticats are third with 48.

“For me? I don’t care if we have two first downs,” said Streveler. “If we score one more point, that’s the goal of the game. It’s not about first downs. You want to move the ball offensively.

“I think coach Mike O’Shea would probably like it if it’s 3-0, he’s a defensive guy.”

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WINNIPEG (1-1) AT HAMILTON (1-1)

Friday, Tim Hortons Field

TIMMIS HORTONS FIELD — Mercer Timmis had a breakout game at running back for Hamilton against the Eskimos, racking up 133 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The product of Burlington, Ont., grew up a Tiger-Cats fan and his parents have seasons tickets at Tim Hortons Field.

MASOLI THE MERRIER — Masoli has seven consecutive 300-yard passing games, fifth longest streak in CFL history. Reaching 300 yards against the Blue Bombers will tie him with Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo (2012) and Edmonton’s Mike Reilly (2015-16). Montreal’s Sam Etcheverry (1956) and Saskatchewan’s Kent Austin (1991) are tied for first with nine.

O-LINE — Hamilton’s offensive line has only allowed four team sacks so far this season.

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Follow @jchidleyhill on Twitter

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press