REDBLACKS lose to Tiger-Cats in Hamilton
The Ottawa REDBLACKS couldn’t keep up with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday afternoon, losing 33-12 at Tim Hortons Field.
Will Arndt started his second consecutive game, completing 17 passes for 112 yards. He did not throw an interception in the contest.
Randall Evans led the REDBLACKS with eight tackles, while Avery Ellis, J.R. Tavai and Anthony Cioffi each recorded sacks.
Ottawa opened the scoring with a 40-yard Lewis Ward field goal. Gump Hayes picked off Dane Evans, giving the team good field position.
Hamilton responded on the ensuing drive, with Jalin Marshall running the ball in after the Tiger-Cats used a wildcat package. The black and gold missed the two-point convert, making the score 6-3 at the half.
The teams traded field goals in the second half, with Ward converting from 56 yards out – the longest field goal of his CFL career. Hamilton held a three-point lead at the break.
Hamilton extended their lead in the third quarter. After an Ottawa interception that was overturned for pass interference, backup quarterback David Watford plunged into the end zone from the one-yard line to give the Ti-Cats a 19-9 lead.
After another Ward three-pointer, the Tiger-Cats kept their foot on the gas, with Dane Evans connecting with Brandon Banks for a 60-yard catch-and-run to add to their lead. Hajrullahu would do the rest of the scoring for Hamilton, hitting two field goals and kicking a single to make the final score 33-12.
Ottawa (3-13) wraps up their three-game road swing next week against the Toronto Argonauts (3-13). The REDBLACKS return to TD Place on Friday, November 1 to close out their season versus the Montreal Alouettes (9-7). Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m.
Hamilton (13-3) hit to road next week to take on the Alouettes, as they prepare to host the East Final at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday, November 17.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“It’s frustrating. We didn’t come up with plays when the game was in the balance. I appreciate the way our guys compete, but when you’re playing pro sports, the name of the game isn’t just competing, it’s winning. We just can’t come up with the plays right now. It was a ballgame at half, they made some big pass plays and it got away from us a little bit.” – HC Rick Campbell
GAME NOTES
The loss was Ottawa’s first at Tim Hortons Field since 2014. It snaps a five-game road winning streak for the REDBLACKS at Hamilton… The Tiger-Cats set a franchise record with their 13th win of the season… Ward’s 56-yard field goal is tied for the second longest in the league this year. The longest is 57 yards and was booted by Saskatchewan’s Brett Lauther.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
OTT – FG Ward – 5:17
HAM – TD Marshall – 2:06
Second Quarter
HAM – FG Hajrullahu – 12:29
OTT – FG Ward – 2:45
OTT – FG Ward – 1:07
HAM – FG Hajrullahu – 0:30
Third Quarter
HAM – TD Watford (Hajrullahu conv.) – 7:43
OTT – FG Ward – 2:13
HAM – TD Evans to Banks (Hajrullahu conv.) – 0:55
Fourth Quarter
HAM – SI Hajrullahu – 9:32
HAM – FG Hajrullahu – 4:28
HAM – FG Hajrullahu – 1:06
Attendance
23,692
