ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Separated by a single game in the standings, the Argonauts were out for revenge as their QEW rival Hamilton Tiger-cats were in town for a rematch of the Labour Day Classic. This being the second of three games between the two teams this season, Hamilton could clinch the tiebreaker if they were able to win a second consecutive matchup.
The Ticats entered the game as the hottest team in the CFL, having won four straight ballgames and allowing fewer than two touchdowns and under 60 yards rushing per game over that span. Hamilton has won the previous three matchups against the Argonauts, which followed a four-game streak by the Double Blue.
Toronto’s offence has been rejuvenated since Chad Owens returned to the lineup. Owens, who didn’t play in the Labour Day Classic, has at least seven receptions in all six games he’s played so far this season and is coming off a two-touchdown performance in a victorious Week 15 against the Eskimos.
The Ticats got off to a quick start. At 5:49 into the 1st quarter, QB Zack Collaros connected with Andy Fantuz from 3 yards out for the first score of the game. K/P Justin Medlock made the conversion to put Hamilton up 7-0.
Discipline was Toronto’s downfall early, repeatedly beginning drives deep in their own zone due to penalties. Neither offence was able to muster much in the following couple drives as both defences looked sharp.
Hamilton finished off the quarter with the momentum as LB Simoni Lawrence picked off a Ricky Ray pass intended for WR Jason Barnes and the Ticats capitalized with a 42-yard Medlock field goal. 10-0 Hamilton heading into the 2nd quarter.
Former Argonaut Terrell Sinkfield burned his former team in the second, returning a 53-yard K/P Swayze Waters punt for 50 yards to the Argos 15-yard line at 10:33. The Boatmen were able to hold the Black & Gold to a 20-yard Medlock field goal. 13-0 Hamilton.
QB Ricky Ray connected early and often with WR John Chiles, who came off the 6-game injured list with a torn hamstring. The pair led an impressive drive midway through the 2nd quarter which resulted in Toronto’s first score of the game, a 2-yard touchdown pass to WR Spencer Watt, who’s played very well against Hamilton throughout his career. Waters hit the conversion to cut the lead to 13-7 with 3:43 remaining in the half.
As dangerous on the ground as he is in the air, Collaros bailed the Ticats out of a 2nd & 15 with a 28-yard touchdown run against his former team at 13:11 into the 2nd quarter. The run was Collaros’ longest of his career and with the Medlock conversion the score extended Hamilton’s lead to 20-7.
Chiles continued his strong return on the following drive, hauling in a 43-yard reception to bring the Argos into Ticat territory with a minute remaining in the half. The Hamilton D-Line stopped the Double Blue from there, sacking Ricky Ray on a 2nd down to lead to a buzzer-beating 33-yard Waters field goal. 20-10 Hamilton at the half.
Both quarterbacks played an efficient first half. Ray completed 18 of 22 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown, with one interception being the lone blemish. Collaros completed 13 of 15 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns, one in the air and one on the ground.
Owens, who hauled in four first half passes for 30 yards, was primarily used as a decoy while Chiles brought in a team-high 5 receptions for 89 yards. Both teams relied heavily on the pass, as Hamilton and Toronto combined for 66 yards on the ground.
Turnovers were the story of the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Jermaine Gabriel recovered an early Hamilton fumble to give the Argos the ball during the Ticats’ opening drive, but LB Rico Murray recovered a Jason Barnes fumble moments later to give it right back.
Collaros connected on a deep touchdown pass to Brandon Banks on the following play, but luckily for Toronto it was called back. The Tiger-Cats settled for another Medlock field goal, this one from 38-yards out to make it 23-10 Hamilton.
Toronto responded with a Waters field goal minutes later to bring the lead to within 10. 23-13 Cats with 5:20 left in the 3rd.
A turning point in the game came late in the third when DB Branden Smith dropped an easy interception that surely would have led to a pick-six, which was immediately followed by a 22-yard Luke Tasker touchdown reception to complete the 14-point swing. Hamilton took a 30-13 lead into the 4th quarter.
On the next Ticats drive the Tabbies tried a bit of trickery, but a fumble on an end around would fall to the turf and be recovered by the Argos.
Taking advantage, Ray found Steve Slaton in the flats for a reception TD bringing the score to 30-20 for the Ticats.
The Argos would make Hamilton punt on their next series opening a chance to bring the game to a one score affair but could not capitalize and were forced to punt back to Hamilton.
With just under five minutes left, the Ticats tacked on a field goal to extend their lead to 33-20.
As time began to run out on the Boatmen, Milanovich entered three-down territory. A 3rd and 10 completion to Jason Barnes extended a drive and a long Curtis Steele run set the Double Blue up at the 24-yard line.
After a completion to RB/SB Anthony Woodson brought the ball to the one-yard line, Ray called his own number and plunged into the end zone for the touchdown closing the gap to 33-27.
Forcing a two-and-out the Argos got the ball back with under tow minutes left and a chance to drive for the lead. Ray worked his magic and launched a 69-yard bomb to Chad Owens who took the reception to the house for the Argos first lead.
The Ticats got a chance to respond but would have a dismal offensive series. First a sack on second down was followed up by a bad snap that lead to a 22-yard loss and a turnover on downs.
Runs by Curtis Steele ran out the clock and the Argos would complete the comeback clawing all the way from 17-points down to shock the Ticats and even the season series.