Adam Gagnon
Streak Busters: Als hand Ticats first loss at THF
Posted: August 27,2015 10:20PM
Updated: August 27,2015 10:34PM
CFL.ca Staff
#CFLGameDay
HAMILTON -- It was a night of firsts in Hamilton.
The Montreal Alouettes have become the first road team to win a game at Tim Hortons Field, defeating the Tiger-Cats 26-23 on Thursday Night.
Thursday night also marked the first game of Jim Popp's third stint as Alouettes head coach, a role he took over last week after dismissing Tom Higgins from his job as sideline boss.
While the first quarter is usually Hamilton’s bread-and-butter – especially at home – it was the visitors who made the early statement.
Aided by a drive-extending pass interference penalty on Johnny Sears, Cato hooked up with tailback Brandon Rutley for a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give the Als a 7-0 lead.
On the play, Cato managed to avoid what seemed
to be a sure sack by the Ticats defensive front and dump a short pass
out to Rutley who turned on the jets for the score.
The major was Rutley’s first this season, and first since 2012 when he hauled in a pass from Henry Burris as a member of the Ticats.
The two teams would then exchange field goals on their respective ensuing drives. Hamilton’s Justin Medlock split the uprights from 37 yards out to bring the Ticats within four, however, Montreal kicker Boris Bede connected from 31 yards to restore the Als’ lead back to seven.
But Montreal’s lead would be short-lived.
With the second quarter underway, the Ticats embarked on a nine-play, 88-yard drive that would culminate on an eight-yard touchdown strike from Collaros to Luke Tasker.
The drive saw Collaros connect on five of his six passes, twice finding Tasker.
It was Tasker’s third touchdown of the year.
With the two teams going punch for punch in the game’s opening 30 minutes, an eventful first half in the Hammer took an unfortunate turn when Cato was knocked out of the game with an apparent lower-body injury.
He was able to walk off the field with some help from the Alouettes trainers and was promptly escorted to the locker room. TSN later reported that Cato’s status for the remainder of the game was ‘uncertain’.
He was replaced by Tanner Marsh, who was appearing in just his second game this season as a result of a sprained knee suffered in training camp.
Marsh made his return to action last week against BC, and helped lead the Als to a 23-13 win over the Lions.
He continued to do his part on the offensive side of the ball on Thursday, as he completed Cato’s shortened drive by punching one in from one-yard out for his second TD of the year.
A penalty-filled drive capped off the first half, but not before Medlock could cut Montreal’s lead to five thanks to a 49-yard field goal, his second of the night.
The Als took a five point lead into the break. Hamilton’s deficit marked the first time this season they trailed at the half.
Prior to exiting, Cato completed four of his seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown pass. Collaros, on the other hand, was solid. The pivot was stellar, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Whatever angst was cooked up in the first 30 minutes didn't translate into the third quarter, as both teams apppeared timid on the offensive side of the ball.
Both teams were unable to reach the endzone in the third frame, instead exchanging field goals, while Medlock also conceded a safety to make it 23-16 Montreal heading into the fourth quarter.
But the quiet times were short-lived, as Collaros orchestrated an impressive fourth-quarter drive, leading the Ticats 72 yards downfield on eight plays, the last of which saw backup QB Jeff Matthews score on a one-yard plunge for six points. Medlock's ensuing extra point would tie the game at 23.
However, with just over a minute to play in the game, Bede connected on a 27-yard field goal to give the Als a 26-23 lead.
The Ticats looked primed to return the the favour and send the game into overtime, but Collaros saw his pass intercepted by Kyries Hebert, stopping any hopes of a Ticats comeback.
Next week, the Als will return home to face the Lions, while the Ticats will welcome the Argonauts for the Labour Day Classic.
#CFLGameDay
HAMILTON -- It was a night of firsts in Hamilton.
The Montreal Alouettes have become the first road team to win a game at Tim Hortons Field, defeating the Tiger-Cats 26-23 on Thursday Night.
Thursday night also marked the first game of Jim Popp's third stint as Alouettes head coach, a role he took over last week after dismissing Tom Higgins from his job as sideline boss.
While the first quarter is usually Hamilton’s bread-and-butter – especially at home – it was the visitors who made the early statement.
Aided by a drive-extending pass interference penalty on Johnny Sears, Cato hooked up with tailback Brandon Rutley for a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give the Als a 7-0 lead.
| Related: Ticats vs. Als |
|---|
 » View Game Stats » Images: Hamilton vs. Montreal » Watch: Rutley Rumbles for TD » Ticats retire Mosca's #68 » Images: Mosca's jersey retired» Preview: Ticats host Als |
The major was Rutley’s first this season, and first since 2012 when he hauled in a pass from Henry Burris as a member of the Ticats.
The two teams would then exchange field goals on their respective ensuing drives. Hamilton’s Justin Medlock split the uprights from 37 yards out to bring the Ticats within four, however, Montreal kicker Boris Bede connected from 31 yards to restore the Als’ lead back to seven.
But Montreal’s lead would be short-lived.
With the second quarter underway, the Ticats embarked on a nine-play, 88-yard drive that would culminate on an eight-yard touchdown strike from Collaros to Luke Tasker.
The drive saw Collaros connect on five of his six passes, twice finding Tasker.
It was Tasker’s third touchdown of the year.
With the two teams going punch for punch in the game’s opening 30 minutes, an eventful first half in the Hammer took an unfortunate turn when Cato was knocked out of the game with an apparent lower-body injury.
He was able to walk off the field with some help from the Alouettes trainers and was promptly escorted to the locker room. TSN later reported that Cato’s status for the remainder of the game was ‘uncertain’.
He was replaced by Tanner Marsh, who was appearing in just his second game this season as a result of a sprained knee suffered in training camp.
Marsh made his return to action last week against BC, and helped lead the Als to a 23-13 win over the Lions.
He continued to do his part on the offensive side of the ball on Thursday, as he completed Cato’s shortened drive by punching one in from one-yard out for his second TD of the year.
A penalty-filled drive capped off the first half, but not before Medlock could cut Montreal’s lead to five thanks to a 49-yard field goal, his second of the night.
The Als took a five point lead into the break. Hamilton’s deficit marked the first time this season they trailed at the half.
Prior to exiting, Cato completed four of his seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown pass. Collaros, on the other hand, was solid. The pivot was stellar, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Whatever angst was cooked up in the first 30 minutes didn't translate into the third quarter, as both teams apppeared timid on the offensive side of the ball.
Both teams were unable to reach the endzone in the third frame, instead exchanging field goals, while Medlock also conceded a safety to make it 23-16 Montreal heading into the fourth quarter.
But the quiet times were short-lived, as Collaros orchestrated an impressive fourth-quarter drive, leading the Ticats 72 yards downfield on eight plays, the last of which saw backup QB Jeff Matthews score on a one-yard plunge for six points. Medlock's ensuing extra point would tie the game at 23.
However, with just over a minute to play in the game, Bede connected on a 27-yard field goal to give the Als a 26-23 lead.
The Ticats looked primed to return the the favour and send the game into overtime, but Collaros saw his pass intercepted by Kyries Hebert, stopping any hopes of a Ticats comeback.
Next week, the Als will return home to face the Lions, while the Ticats will welcome the Argonauts for the Labour Day Classic.
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