Hamilton Tiger Cats running back Johnny Augustine (27) is tackled by Toronto Argos defensive end Shawn Lemon (42) and defensive lineman Soane Toia (91) second quarter CFL action in Toronto on Saturday, August 22, 2026. (CFL PHOTO - Jon Blacker)
TORONTO — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats battled through a weather-delayed start and took a lead into halftime Saturday night before the Toronto Argonauts pulled away in the second half for a 39-20 win at home. The Ticats showed plenty of fight against their East Division rivals, but Toronto’s offence and pass rush proved decisive after the break, leaving Hamilton looking to bounce back on the road next week ahead of a crucial rematch with the Argos at the WeatherTech Labour Day Classic.
The Argonauts used a dominant second half to get away from the Tiger-Cats after seeing the visitors take a lead into halftime. Chad Kelly threw two touchdown passes to Damonte Coxie and ran one in himself while the Toronto defence recorded four sacks and kept the Ticats out of the end zone after halftime.
After storms in the area delayed kickoff by an hour, Kelly and the Argos offence wasted no time getting on the board. On play action, Toronto’s pivot rolled to his right and dropped a 35-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie for the game’s first score. On the other side Hamilton stuttered out of the gates with three consecutive two-and-outs to start the game.
A pair of Hamilton touchdowns put the away team up by two at halftime but the Argos got right back on top after the intermission. Kelly fired a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital to cap off a 10-play scoring drive and Brady Lidster added a field goal as the Argos began to turn the screw.
A missed field goal attempt by Lidster gave Hamilton life as they trailed by five with nine minutes to go but the Argos responded by creating their first turnover through a Shawn Lemon strip sack on Ford, one of Lemon’s two takedowns in the ballgame. That takeaway led to Coxie’s second major of the night as Toronto took control midway through the fourth.
Kelly finished 26-34 with 289 passing yards, two touchdown passes, one interception, and one rushing major. Coxied had four catches for 75 yards to go with his two scores while Tyler Kahmann made seven catches for 74 yards. Rookie Isaiah Smith recorded 99 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich turned back to Tre Ford after the Canadian quarterback’s impressive relief performance in the Tabbies’ win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week. Ford had his moments on Saturday but was under duress from the Toronto pass rush on a few occasions. Ford finished with 19 completions and 356 passing yards and 33 rushing yards. Some big plays helped Kiondre Smith and Keric Wheatfall surpass 100 receiving yards.
Stavros Katsantonis made a diving interception on Kelly in the second quarter to make it five picks on the season for Hamilton’s star safety and six interceptions in three games for Toronto’s pivot.
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SCORING PLAYS
- Chad Kelly 35-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie (10:44, Q1) | TOR 6, HAM 0
- Brady Lidster 49-yard field goal (6:11, Q1) | TOR 9, HAM 0
- Brady Lidster 47-yard field goal (1:47, Q1) | TOR 12, HAM 0
- Larry Rountree III eight-yard touchdown run (00:00, Q1) | TOR 12, HAM 7
- Marc Liegghio 40-yard field goal (7:51, Q2) | TOR 12, HAM 10
- Brady Lidster 24-yard field goal (1:33, Q2) | TOR 15, HAM 10
- Jake Dolegala one-yard touchdown run (00:00, Q2) | HAM 17, TOR 15
- Chad Kelly 12-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Mital (9:19, Q3)| TOR 22, HAM 17
- Brady Lidster 32-yard field goal (2:10, Q3) | TOR 25, HAM 17
- Marc Liegghio 26-yard field goal (14:48, Q4) | TOR 25, HAM 20
- Chad Kelly 27-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie (8:20, Q4) | TOR 32, HAM 20
- Chad Kelly one-yard touchdown run (2:52, Q4) | TOR 39, HAM 20
NEXT UP
The Tiger-Cats will look to bounce back in Week 13 when they visit the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday, August 29. The Ticats have fallen to the Stamps in their past three meetings, including a 44-20 loss at home in Week 9.
Later that Saturday, the Argos will be in Regina to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Boatmen will look to make it two wins from two against their West Division counterpart after defeating the Riders back in Week 4.
