Johnny Football made his CFL debut, but it was his old team that stole the show, prevailing 50-11 on Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal.
Early on, Ticats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was unphased by a noticeably-loud Percival Molson Stadium, finding slotback Jalen Saunders behind the Als’ secondary for a 48-yard gain on the game’s second play. Four plays later, Brandon Banks caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to cap an efficient 79-yard drive that took under three minutes to complete.
Manziel’s first CFL play was a handoff to BJ Cunningham, and a loss of five yards. Moments later, he was intercepted by linebacker Larry Dean. Running back Alex Green capped the drive with a one-yard run. Soon after, Hamilton’s Curtis Newton blocked a Boris Bede punt and Sean Thomas Erlington recovered and ran it in 10 yards for the score. By the end of the quarter, Hamilton was up by 28.
RELATED
»Images: Hamilton at Montreal
»By the Numbers: View Boxscore
»Watch: Blocked Punt Leads to Touchdown
After the slow start, Manziel showed signs of rhythm. Near the end of the opening quarter, he completed consecutive passes at midfield and marched the Als downfield. Thanks to those efforts, Boris Bede got Montreal on the board in the first play of the second quarter with a 30-yard field goal. Hamilton responded a few minutes later with Green’s second touchdown of the half.
Hamilton’s defence continued to give Montreal’s new starting quarterback fits. By the end of his first career CFL half, Manziel had thrown four interceptions, including two to defensive back Jumal Rolle. If there was a silver lining, it was Manziel’s movement in the pocket and ability to avoid the aggressive Hamilton pass rush.
Ticats kicker Lirim Hajrullahu hit a 42-yard field goal to give Hamilton a commanding 35-point lead heading into the third quarter. He then started the scoring in the second half, nailing a 48-yard field goal five minutes into the third quarter.
Manziel looked more comfortable to start the third quarter, completing passes to Ernest Jackson and Eugene Lewis. Despite that, he was unable to get the Als downfield and gain significant yardage.
On the other side of the ball, Jeremiah Masoli continued his efficient evening. He found receivers Chris Williams and Terrence Toliver for decent gains at midfield to end the third quarter. He then spotted Jalen Saunders on a crisp back-shoulder throw for 21 yards. Masoli then joined in on the scoring action, running the ball in six yards for the touchdown. It capped a nine-play, 97-yard drive that took just under six minutes to execute.
The beginning of the fourth quarter marked the end of the night for Johnny Manziel, who was replaced by Vernon Adams, Jr. with the Als trailing by 44. His stat line in his first career CFL start? 11 completions, 104 passing yards, and four interceptions.
Adams did use his mobility on his second drive of the game. He was able to avoid pressure and scramble for gains of eight and 13 yards. A pass interference penalty put the ball in the red zone, but Hamilton’s smothering defence prevented Montreal from getting any points.
Montreal did score with under three minutes left in the game on an Adams run from the one-yard line. They then converted the two-point convert to give the Als 11 on the evening. Hajrullahu hit a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter to put the Ticats at 50.
Manziel and the Alouettes’ next test is on Aug. 11 when they travel to Ottawa to take on the Redblacks. The Ticats will face the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Friday.
