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Quarterback Dane Evans replaced Masoli, the East Division’s Most Outstanding Player a year ago, in late July when the veteran tore the ACL in his left knee. Evans seems to have grown into the role and has plenty of support on that side of the ball.

“(Evans) just seems like a cool customer,” said Campbell. “He hangs in there and does what he needs to do. He’s played really well and he’s surrounded by some really good players, some playmaking type of guys. They’ve played well as a team – they’ve done well on special teams and defence and their offence hasn’t missed a beat. When you get all three going together, it makes it tough (to beat them).”

“(Early on) they probably tailored things for Dane with him having less game experience,” said Redblacks defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe. “Now they’ve swung the pendulum, they’ve opened up the playbook for him a lot more than the first time we played them. They’re a lot more dangerous now. They’ve got multiple weapons. They can use them in a variety of ways – wildcat with (Bralon) Addison, fly sweep with (Brandon) Banks. They can put you into some situations trying to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally.”

Asked if the Ticats were the best offence in the CFL, Thorpe said: “I don’t like to categorize as far as where they are. But they’re a potent offence. They’ve got the ability to be explosive. They protect the quarterback and give him time. He can get the ball downfield and he’s got the weapons to do that. They’ve had injuries, they’ve had multiple guys at running back and it hasn’t affected them. They’ve been able to plug and play guys in. I think everything for them starts up front. They’re doing a good job of keeping the quarterback upright and he’s got the ability to be elusive in the pocket, not taking off (and running) as much as he did earlier in the season – now he’s got his eyes downfield. It’s a tall task for us, but I think we’re up for the challenge.”