Silver Linings To Be Found As Ticats Prepare For Ottawa

HAMILTON — After starting the season 0-3, the Tiger-Cats were riding a two-game winning streak prior to Friday night’s 31-15 loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

Argos quarterback Chad Kelly completed 20 of 27 passes (74.1%) for 306 yards (11.3 YPA), two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Kelly also carried the ball four times for 18 yards, adding another touchdown on the ground.

Three Argos put up 50+ yards receiving (DaVaris Daniels with 80, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. with 69 and Dejon Brissett with 50).

A.J. Ouellette carried the ball ten times for 84 yards (8.4 YPC).

If there was a bright spot to be found, it would be that the Ticats defence held the Argos to 31 points—their lowest mark of the 2023 season.

In fact, through five games, their two lowest point totals of the season (31 on 7/21/23 and 32 on 6/18/23) have both come against Hamilton’s defence.

That’s encouraging, especially as rookie quarterback Taylor Powell continues to find his footing.

The box score numbers—27 of 41 (65.9%) for 283 yards (6.9 YPA), zero touchdowns and one interception—won’t wow you, but they don’t tell the entire story either.

Powell carried the ball four times for 37 yards (9.3 YPA) and rushed for a touchdown during a late fourth quarter rally that ultimately fell short.

320 total yards and a touchdown against Toronto in a rookie’s CFL starting debut is worth noting, especially after Powell’s strong close to the previous week’s 37-29 road win over Edmonton.

Is 2-4 where Hamilton expected to be six games into a season with Grey Cup aspirations? No.

But the positives are worth noting as the football club rests, resets and prepares for their second matchup of the year with Ottawa.