RECAP: Ticats 21, Redblacks 7

The Ticats made a statement tonight with their 21-7 win in Ottawa.
This has kind of become the season of exorcising demons in Hamilton. It began with their first win over Calgary in eight years. Now, Dane Evans has begun to ease the spirits of the fanbase and help them forget about the Déjà vu that they experienced when Jeremiah Masoli went down with a season ending torn ACL. Finally, the Ticats picked up a win over the Ottawa Redblacks, a team that has had their number over the years.
Hamilton’s defence was the story tonight, frustrating Dominique Davis and the Redblacks’ offence for four quarters. Davis was held to 238 yards on just 50% passing. The running game wasn’t any better for Ottawa. Davis and Madu Mosis were held to a combined for 69 yards on 13 carries. Adding the exclamation point, the Ticats defence shut the door and held Ottawa out of the end zone, only allowing two field goals in the victory. Justin Tuggle, Simoni Lawrence and Frankie Williams had five tackles each to lead the Ticats.
On the offensive end, Dane Evans continued to impress for Hamilton, missing out on the 300 yard milestone by just one yard. Evans also threw for one touchdown, which came in the third quarter. The Ticat quarterback found Jaelon Acklin at the six yard line, who promptly scampered into the end zone for the 11 yard touchdown pass. The play was the final nail in the coffin for the Redblacks, putting Hamilton ahead 18-7 after Lirim Hajrullahu made the extra point.

Bralon Addison had a banner game and was a factor in both the receiving and running game. The versatile Ticat had 100 receiving yards on eight catches. He also added five carries for 16 yards, including a nine yard run.
Cameron Marshall really came on in this game too. In his second start of the season, Marshall had 12 carries for 92 yards and unleashed the truck stick on Ottawa safety Antoine Pruneau in the first quarter. The Ticats have been blessed with a good amount of depth at running back this season. Both Sean Thomas Erlington and Maleek Irons have gone down with injuries after performing well earlier in the year, now, Marshall has stepped in and the offence hasn’t missed a beat.
Veteran Luke Tasker had his best game of the year, catching six passes for 83 yards. David Ungerer III recorded his first career reception, in his second game after battling back from a leg injury that has hampered the rookie since training camp.
Hamilton now sits 7-2, atop the East Division. They’ll be back in action next Saturday in Vancouver when they take on the BC Lions at 10 p.m. EDT. The Tiger-Cats will be back at Tim Hortons Field on Labour Day when they welcome the Argos to the Hammer.