The Hamilton Tiger-Cats scored 40-straight points on the road to hand the Montreal Alouettes a 43-16 loss on Sunday. While the Ticats have been eliminated from playoff contention, the team took big steps towards finishing the season on a positive note.
Brandon Banks created big plays all game long for the Ticats, leading his team in receiving and dominating in the return game with 240 all-purpose yards. The dynamic weapon scored two touchdowns over 60 yards, contributing a 65-yard punt return score and a 65-yard touchdown catch that gave the Ticats momentum.
Banks finished the game with six catches for 129 yards, his fourth-straight game with over 100 yards receiving.
Kicker Kenny Allen remained perfect for Hamilton in his second CFL game, connecting on all five field goal attempts to complete the Ticats’ outstanding special teams performance.
Things did not start out on a positive note for the Als on offence, as Darian Durant was intercepted on just the team’s second drive of the game. Ticats defensive back Don Unamba got his hands on the ball to secure his second pick of the season, returning it 11 yards into Montreal territory.
The Ticats capitalized on the turnover and favourable field position, taking the early lead with a 15-yard chip shot field goal from kicker Kenny Allen.
Durant got the Als’ offence going on the following drive, however, and the veteran quarterback bounced back from his earlier interception by leading a 5-play, 80-yard drive to grab the lead.
Durant hooked up with receiver Samuel Giguère for a 17-yard gain before finding Ernest Jackson open in the middle of the end zone for the 15-yard touchdown strike. The score was Jackson’s sixth touchdown catch of the season.
Hamilton responded on offence after Banks took a short catch and turned it into a 22-yard gain. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli then found receiver Shawmad Chambers on a 12-yard pass to set up a 48-yard Allen field goal, bringing the Ticats within a point.
The Ticats’ defence forced a Montreal punt after linebacker Simoni Lawrence brought Durant down for an 11-yard sack. Banks used his elite speed to return the punt 31 yards, and a 19-yard run from Masoli put Allen in range to add a 45-yard field goal, giving Hamilton their first lead of the game.
The Als’ offence continued to have difficulties moving the ball against Hamilton’s tough defence, and another quick two-and-out led to a game-changing play for the Ticats. Banks once again showed how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands, returning the Boris Bede punt for an incredible 65-yard touchdown to help give Hamilton the 16-7 lead. Banks also led the Ticats in receiving in the first half, logging three catches for 49 yards.
The return touchdown was the 11th of Banks’ CFL career, and it was the first return touchdown of the season for the Ticats.
While Hamilton jumped ahead in the opening half, it was their defence and special teams that made the difference. The Ticats’ offence was forced to settle for their fourth field goal of the half after another drive stalled, and in just his second career CFL game, kicker Kenny Allen remained perfect for the Ticats in the opening half.
Allen knocked through 28-yard field goal to give Hamilton the 19-7 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Banks even made a difference when the ball was not in his hands, as a foot race down the right side of the field on a go-route drew a crucial pass interference penalty. The 48-yard penalty on Als defensive back Tevaughn Campbell set the Ticats’ offence up just inside Montreal’s 15-yard line.
Masoli wasted no time converting the penalty into points, finding receiver Mike Jones near the right side the end zone for the 14-yard touchdown pass. Jones was initially ruled out of bounds, but upon further review it was determined that the receiver somehow managed to get his knee down in bounds with possession.
The impressive touchdown catch was the very first of Jones’ CFL career, giving Hamilton the 26-7 lead heading into half-time.
Montreal elected to make a change at quarterback after failing to gain a single first down in the second quarter, and Matthew Shiltz took over for Durant after the half.
The young quarterback did not fare much better early on, as Shiltz was picked off in the end zone while attempting to find receiver T.J. Graham deep down the field. Defensive back Cariel brooks picked off the pass for his first interception of the season.
Banks continued his big performance on Hamilton’s following drive, beating Tevaughn Campbell deep down the right sideline for a highlight-reel 65-yard touchdown catch. Banks reeled in the pass over his shoulder against the taller defender before taking it an extra 17 yards into the end zone. The score was Banks’ fourth touchdown catch over 50 yards this season, and it capped off a 3-play, 85-yard drive to extend the Ticats’ lead.
Hamilton extended their lead once again at the start of the fourth quarter after Allen made his fifth straight kick of the game, a 35-yard field goal that put the Ticats on top 36-7.
The Ticats’ defence continued to frustrate the Als in the second half, and Hamilton would put together another long scoring drive after getting the ball back on offence.
Masoli led a 6-play, 84-yard drive to set up a four-yard touchdown run from Alex Green, his fourth score of the season. The convert kick from Allen put Hamilton on top 43-7, making it 40-straight points after surrendering the early touchdown.
The Als got on the board for the first time since the opening quarter after Shiltz led a 79-yard drive, using his arm and legs to bring Montreal’s offence into scoring range. Running back Tyrell Sutton finished off the drive with a -yard touchdown run, and Shiltz completed the two-point convert to Jackson to bring the score to 43-15.
Montreal added another point to their total on the following play when Hamilton conceded the single after Bede’s kickoff went into the end zone, but it was much too late.
Week 19 will see the the Alouettes travel to Regina to take on the Roughriders on Friday night, while the Ticats will face the Ottawa REDBLACKS on the road.
