There’s a reason why it’s called the Labour Day Classic, and a classic it was indeed. The Toronto Argonauts put their foot down in the first half and stood their ground against a high-flying Hamilton offence. After the first 30 minutes of play, Toronto held onto a 30-17 lead. Down but never out, the Ticats clawed their way back to make it a ball game with the score reading 36-31 with the Argos still leading heading into the fourth quarter. The final 15 minutes provided a game’s worth of entertainment for the Tim Horton’s Field record 24,512 in attendance and all those watching on TV.
Gable’s stomping ground
Playing on Labour Day in Hamilton, you have to seize the opportunity. CJ Gable did just that with the openings he was given on the ground. The Ticats’ running back rushed for 135 yards off of 12 attempts. Gable would average 11.2 yards per carry while rushing for key first down runs to sustain drives for Hamilton. Those numbers would mark his first 100-yard game since July 26, 2015 against the Roughriders where he also rushed for 135 yards.
Pass heavy good time
Nothing new in the pass category as Zach Collaros was making completions left, right and centre against the Toronto defence. Collaros threw for 359 passing yards, completing 28 of 35 attempts. The Ticats’ quarterback shared the wealth as he completed four touchdowns to just as many receivers. Wide receiver Luke Tasker led the Tiger-Cats in receiving yards. The 5’11 slot receiver hauled in five catches for 122 receiving yards and added a touchdown to his stat line for the day. Tasker’s performance would be his third 100-yard performance of the 2016 season. Collaros also connected with Brandon Banks, Terrence Toliver and Chad Owens for majors.
Here comes the defensive thunder
The Argonauts may have went into their locker room at half thinking they had this one in the bag. Unfortunately for them they let the cat out. They also allowed the Ticats’ defensive unit to turn the game around and take control after allowing 211 total yards in the first half. Down 30-17 at the half, the Hamilton defence buckled up and got to work. Two interceptions aided the Ticats in turning the tide on the Argos. Emanuel Davis’ pick six in the fourth quarter put the cap on the game, extending the Ticats’ lead to 46-36. Three defensive players would tie for the Ticats’ team lead for tackles. Simoni Lawrence, Rico Murray and Larry Dean would all tally five tackles apiece. Hamilton would rack up three quarterback sacks on the day, hauling down Argos’ quarterback Ricky Ray on three occasions. Canadian defensive lineman Ted Laurent and Michael Atkinson joined John Chick in recording sacks.
