It was two games in one. Hamilton headed into their locker room finding themselves in a familiar spot as they fell behind early against the Lions at BC Place Stadium. Following the half the Ticats dug in deep and fought their way back into the game. Collaros was finding his favourite targets, the defence tightened up and Speedy B was doing what he does best. Unfortunately for Hamilton, the clock was in the Lions favour as they had a late score that ended any comeback hopes, winning 45-38 against the Tiger-Cats.
The talk of the game was the return of Ticats’ quarterback Zach Collaros. Things may not have started the way Collaros would have been hoping for following a sack and fumble. He finished the game completing 24 of his 40 pass attempts along with two touchdowns and an interception. Some rust was expected from Collaros and it seemed following the half that he shook some off and found a groove to get into. Following the half, Collaros threw an early interception but bounced back and completed 16-of-25 second half passes and added two scores. Collaros reacquainted himself with two familiar faces. Former teammates in Toronto, Owens and Collaros got back to where they left things off as Argos as Owens hauled in four passes for 95 yards. Since coming to Hamilton, Collaros’ top target has been the sure handed Luke Tasker who scored his first reception touchdown of the year against the Lions to add to his eight receptions for 86 yards.
Hamilton has their defence to thank for staying in games when it seemed out of reach. Emanuel Davis may have kick-started the comeback attempt after jumping a Jonathon Jennings’ pass attempt for an interception. Trying to hit a receiver on the far sideline, Davis stepped up and picked off the pass, returning it to the Lions’ 2-yard line. It marked the Ticats’ second interception of the year.
In case you forgot, Brandon Banks made it perfectly clear that if you’re going to miss a field goal, you better miss it long. Richie Leone was reminded why that is. Late in the fourth quarter, Leone lined up for a 37-yard field goal attempt but kicked it wide right. Banks seized the moment showing patience in letting his blocks get set up before bursting up along the sideline and taking it 126 yards for the touchdown. A two-point conversion from Collaros to Tasker and the game was tied at 38 apiece.
