The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-7) visited TD Place Stadium on Friday night to start Week 14 against the Ottawa Redblacks (3-9). It was the third and final meeting of the season between these teams, with the Ticats winning the first two meetings. The Ticats had won the previous nine meetings against Ottawa. The streak would continue on Friday night.
In the first quarter, Hamilton’s defense made a big play when Stavros Katsantonis intercepted Dustin Crum’s pass, intended for Jaelon Acklin, and returned it for ten yards before getting tackled on the Redblacks’ 41-yard line. Hamilton running back James Butler had two carries for 14 yards before kicker Marc Liegghio made a 32-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 9:56 left.
Ottawa running back Devonte Williams started the next drive with a couple of carries for 26 yards. Two plays later, Dustin Crum completed a short pass to Devonte Williams for a gain of 27 yards. The Redblacks got to the Ticats’ 12-yard line before kicker Lewis Ward made a 19-yard field goal which tied the game 3-3 with 4:01 left of the first quarter.
Late in the first quarter, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum completed a 44-yard pass to Shaq Evans, followed by a six-yard pass to Tevaun Smith. Then, Crum completed a 16-yard pass to Nate Behar before he was tackled on the Ticats’ one-yard.
The Ticats’ defense stopped Tyrrell Pigrome twice to force third down. Rather than go for the field goal, the Redblacks went for it with the same play and Hamilton’s defense stopped them again on third down to close out the first quarter tied 3-3.
In the second quarter, The Ticats’ offense was unable to take advantage of the turnover and punted the ball back to Ottawa. Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum completed two passes for 22 yards, and running back Devonte Williams had two carries for 28 yards. After Dustin Crum threw two incomplete passes, kicker Lewis Ward attempted a 45-yard field goal and missed it. The game remained tied 3-3 with 7:34 left.
Later in the second quarter, Hamilton’s defense came up with another big play when Tre’ Crawford stripped the ball out of Devonte Williams’s arm before Stavros Katsantonis recovered it on their 44-yard line. The turnover would lead to a 20-yard field goal by Marc Liegghio which made it 6-3 with 15 seconds left.
Then, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward missed a 50-yard field goal but Hamilton returner Tyreik McAllister almost returned it for a touchdown but was taken down on the Redblacks’ 39-yard line. The return went for 79 yards and the Ticats led 6-3 at halftime.
Ottawa had 234 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 9 of 15 passes (60%) for 162 yards, one interception, and two carries for 20 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had six carries for 49 yards, and wide receiver Shaq Evans had one catch for 44 yards. The Redblacks did not commit a penalty in the first half.
Hamilton had 166 yards on offense. Quarterback Taylor Powell completed 11 of 19 passes (58%) for 129 yards, and one carry for seven yards. Running back James Butler had eight carries for 27 yards, and wide receiver Tim White had three catches for 44 yards. The Ticats were penalized three times for 30 yards.
After a lackluster first half, the game picked up in the second half starting with the third quarter. Ottawa running back Devonte Williams rushed for a gain of 11 yards before Dustin Crum completed a 20-yard short pass to Shaq Evans before he was tackled on the Ticats’ 51-yard line.
Devonte Williams led the charge with three more carries for 11 yards plus one catch for 15 yards to get to the Ticats’ three-yard line. Then, Ante Milanovic-Litre rushed to his right side for the touchdown that put Ottawa ahead 10-6 with 9:31 left of the third quarter.
Hamilton battled back when quarterback Taylor Powell threw a deep pass to Tim White for 64 yards before he was tackled on the Redblacks’ 11-yard line. Two plays later with the Redblacks’ defense blitzing, Powell threw a pass to Tyreik McAllister for an 11-yard touchdown to take a 13-10 lead with 7:24 left of the third quarter.
On the next Ottawa drive, Dustin Crum completed a short pass to Devonte Williams for a gain of 12 yards. Later, Williams had two carries for 34 yards. The drive would lead to a Tyrrell Pigrome one-yard quarterback sneak touchdown which put the Redblacks back on top 17-13 with 3:25 left.
Ottawa had the ball for the final drive of the third quarter but Richie Leone punted the ball for 57 yards to Tyreik McAllister, who returned it for ten yards before he was tackled on the Ticats’ 25-yard line. Ottawa led 17-13 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Hamilton quarterback Taylor Powell threw a deep pass to Tim White, who made a nice leaping catch with two Ottawa players on him for a gain of 47 yards. Six plays later, the two would connect again when Powell threw a quick pass to White from the left side and he scored a five-yard touchdown for a 20-17 lead with 10:53 left of the fourth quarter.
Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum completed two passes for 26 yards before running back Devonte Williams carried the ball twice for 16 yards on the Ticats’ 34-yard line. Two players later, Crum threw the ball to Williams for a gain of 18 yards before he was tackled on the Ticats’ two-yard line. Then, Dustin Crum rushed in for a two-yard touchdown which made it 24-20 with 6:26 left in the fourth quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, Hamilton went ahead for good. Quarterback Taylor Powell threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tim White for a 27-24 lead with 2:58 left in the game.
Ottawa had one last chance to either tie or win the game. Unfortunately, Dustin Crum lost the ball when Simoni Lawrence forced a fumble and Hamilton recovered it which ended the game. The Ticats completed the season sweep defeating the Redblacks by the final score of 27-24.
For Hamilton to have four days of rest and come out to win this game is great for them. Their defense kept them in this game and the Ticats took advantage of Ottawa’s mistakes.
Hamilton’s offense had 417 yards. Quarterback Taylor Powell completed 21 of 32 passes (65.6%) for 326 yards, three touchdowns, and two carries for 27 yards. Running back James Butler had 14 carries for 35 yards, and wide receiver Tim White had a big game with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Ticats’ defense had 45 tackles, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Ottawa had over a week to prepare for this game and they came out flat. They were not prepared and facing a team with short rest should be a walk in the park. The execution was bad, the play-calling was not good, and at times, they looked confused as to what plays they were running. All of this adds up to a six-game losing streak and 0-6 against East Division teams.
Ottawa had 450 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 17 of 26 passes (65.4%) for 265 yards, one interception, nine carries for 42 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Devonte Williams was the driving force that led to the Redblacks’ touchdowns with 17 carries for 146 yards, and four catches for 69 yards, and wide receiver Shaq Evans had two catches for 64 yards. Ottawa’s defense had 42 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery.
Next Saturday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 4 pm on CFL+, and the Ottawa Redblacks visit the B.C. Lions at 7 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
