The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-7) visited BMO Field on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Argonauts (5-11) in their final meeting of the season.
Hamilton came into this game healthy, while Toronto did not have running back Miyan Williams (Head), defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (Ankle), and defensive back Kenneth George Jr. (Knee).
First Quarter:
Hamilton’s offense started the first quarter on the 41-yard line. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed three passes for 48, including a 42-yarder to Kiondre Smith, before the drive stalled on the 21-yard line. Kicker Marc Liegghio made a 29-yard field goal to give Hamilton a 3-0 lead with 13:08 left.
Two plays into Toronto’s drive, Hamilton defensive lineman Philip Ossai hit Nick Arbuckle hard, causing a fumble, and it was recovered by Julian Howsare on the 38-yard line. After the play, Arbuckle was slow to get up and was favoring his right shoulder. He did not return to the game.
Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell began the next drive by throwing a 24-yard pass to Kenny Lawler. Running back Greg Bell rushed for five yards and was held by Toronto linebacker Branden Dozier on the next play, which resulted in Dozier getting called for defensive pass interference. The ball was placed on the five-yard line.
Then, Kenny Lawler created separation, allowing Mitchell to throw the ball to him for the touchdown. Hamilton extended their lead to 10-0 with 10:49 left to cap off a four-play drive for 38 yards.
Jarret Doege replaced Arbuckle at quarterback. He completed 2 of 3 passes for 17 yards, and one carry for one yard to lead the offense 53-yard line. The drive stalled, and the Tiger-Cats got the ball back on the 24-yard line.
Two plays later, there was a blown coverage by Toronto’s defense, and Hamilton took advantage. Bo Levi Mitchell threw the ball to a wide-open Brendan O’Leary-Orange for an 87-yard touchdown. It was now 17-0 with 5:27 left.
Toronto would get the ball on the 30-yard line. Jarret Doege started the drive by throwing two passes for 30 yards, including a 25-yarder to Dejon Brissett. Doege threw three more passes for 24 yards, and running back Spencer Brown rushed for five yards to the 21-yard line.
On second down, Hamilton defensive lineman Julian Howsare sacked Doege for a nine-yard loss. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 37-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Tiger-Cats 17-3 with 1:13 left.
Bo Levi Mitchell started the next Hamilton drive by throwing a nine-yard pass to Tim White. Third-string quarterback Jake Dolegala rushed for two yards, and Mitchell completed a 13-yard pass to Kiondre Smith to the 46-yard line to end the first quarter. Hamilton led 17-3.
Hamilton’s offense had 191 yards (185 yards passing, 6 yards rushing), and Toronto’s offense had 77 yards (71 yards passing, 17 yards rushing, 11 yards lost).
Second Quarter:
In the second quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell threw a four-yard pass to Greg Bell to the 42-yard line to bring up third down. Kicker Marc Liegghio missed a 50-yard field goal wide right. Toronto returner Janarion Grant returned it for 20 yards to the 10-yard line. Hamilton’s defense would get the ball back.
On the second play, Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege’s pass intended for Dejon Brissett was intercepted by Jonathan Moxey. He returned it for six yards to the 24-yard line. Bo Levi Mitchell threw a 10-yard pass to Kiondre Smith to the 14-yard line. On the next play, Mitchell handed the ball off to Greg Bell. He followed his linemen on his way into the end zone. Hamilton’s lead was now 24-3 with 10:39 left.
Later, Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege completed three passes for 39 yards, and Spencer Brown rushed for 26 yards to the 25-yard line. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 32-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Tiger-Cats 24-6 with 7:44 left.
Late in the second quarter, Hamilton running back Greg Bell had three carries for 30 yards to lead the offense to the 38-yard line. Then, Mitchell was sacked by J-Min Pelley for a 10-yard loss to bring up third down. Punter Nic Constantinou punted the ball 49 yards into the endzone for a single point. It was now 25-6 with 1:31 left.
After Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege completed a nine-yard pass to Dejon Brissett, Hamilton got the ball back. Doege’s pass went off the hands of Makai Polk. There was a bobble for the ball before Stavros Katsantonis made the interception on the 55-yard line. Three plays later, Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Brendan O’Leary-Orange. Hamilton led 32-6 with 43 seconds left to cap off a three-play drive for 55 yards.
Toronto got the ball on the 43-yard line. The offense marched to the 46-yard line. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 53-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Tiger-Cats 32-9 at halftime.
First Half Stats:
Hamilton’s offense had 304 yards (240 yards passing, 74 yards rushing, 10 yards lost), 14 first downs, 2 for 2 in the redzone, and the team had no penalties. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 13 of 17 passes (76.4%) for 240 yards, three touchdowns, and one carry for six yards.
Running back Greg Bell had six carries for 62 yards, one rushing touchdown, and three catches for 20 yards. Wide receiver Brendan O’Leary-Orange made two catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Kiondre Smith made four catches for 67 yards, and Kenny Lawler made two catches for 29 yards and one touchdown. The defense made three sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Toronto’s offense had 184 yards (154 yards passing, 47 yards rushing, 17 yards lost), 11 first downs, no redzone opportunities, and the team was penalized three times for 25 yards. Quarterback Jarret Doege completed 15 of 22 passes (68%) for 154 yards, two interceptions, and one carry for one yard.
Running back Spencer Brown had five carries for 46 yards. Wide receiver Makai Polk made six catches for 68 yards, while Dejon Brissett made four catches for 53 yards. The defense made one tackle for loss and one sack.
Third Quarter:
Toronto started the third quarter on the 49-yard line. Quarterback Jarret Doege started the drive by throwing a 14-yard pass to David Ungerer III. Running back Spencer Brown rushed for six yards, followed by Doege throwing two more passes for 10 yards to the 31-yard line. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 38-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Tiger-Cats 32-12 with 12:07 left.
Toronto’s defense made a play when Bo Levi Mitchell’s pass was intercepted by Tarvarus McFadden. He returned it for 14 yards to the 42-yard line. Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege completed two passes for 14 yards to the 28-yard line.
On the next play, Doege’s pass was intercepted by Devin Veresuk. However, an illegal contact penalty on Hamilton gave Toronto a fresh set of downs on the 18-yard line. On the next play, Doege completed a pass to David Ungerer III. Ungerer III lowered his shoulder to get into the endzone. Toronto trailed Hamilton 32-19 with 9:33 left to cap off a four-play drive for 42 yards.
Late in the third quarter, Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege threw two passes for 24 yards to the 44-yard line. Running back Spencer Brown rushed for six yards before Doege was sacked by Philip Ossai for a six-yard loss. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 51-yard field goal. The Argonauts trailed the Tiger-Cats 32-22 with 40 seconds left.
Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw an 11-yard pass to Jevoni Robinson to the 51-yard line. The third quarter came to an end with the Tiger-Cats leading 32-22.
Fourth Quarter:
In the fourth quarter, Bo Levi Mitchell threw a 25-yard pass to Kiondre Smith on the 34-yard line. On the next play, Mitchell got the defense to freeze with a pump fake before throwing the ball to a wide-open Kenny Lawler for the touchdown. It was now 39-22 with 13:52 left.
Hamilton’s defense quickly got the ball back. Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege was sacked by Jose Ramirez for a six-yard loss. On the next play, Hamilton’s defense pressured Doege. He threw the ball intended for Kevin Mital, but it was intercepted by Stavros Katsantonis. He returned it for 33 yards to the 22-yard line.
Hamilton running back Greg Bell started the drive with a five-yard run. Then, Bo Levi Mitchell was sacked by Branden Dozier for a five-yard loss. Kicker Marc Liegghio made a 33-yard field goal for a 42-22 lead with 10:22 remaining in the game.
Hamilton defensive lineman Julian Howsare sacked Jarret Doege for a 10-yard loss. Toronto went two-and-out. Punter John Haggerty punted the ball 45 yards to Isaiah Wooden Sr. Jack Casser ripped the ball out of Wooden Sr.’s arm, and it was recovered by Aaron Casey on the 40-yard line.
Toronto took advantage of the second opportunity. Quarterback Jarret Doege threw three passes for 25 yards to the 15-yard line. On third down, Doege completed a pass to Kevin Mital. He broke a couple of tackles to score the touchdown. Toronto trailed Hamilton 42-29 with 6:47 left.
After Hamilton went two-and-out, punter Nic Constantinou pinned the Argos on the 21-yard line. Hamilton defensive lineman Julian Howsare sacked Jarret Doege for an 11-yard loss, and Philip Ossai sacked Doege for a 10-yard loss in the endzone, resulting in a safety. It was now 44-29 with 4:04 left.
Late in the game, Toronto quarterback Jarret Doege’s pass intended for Kevin Mital was intercepted by Stavros Katsantonis. He returned it for 33 yards to the 28-yard line. Hamilton running back Greg Bell rushed for three yards before kicker Marc Liegghio made a 33-yard field goal. Hamilton defeated the Toronto Argonauts 47-29. With the win, Hamilton wins the season series, and Toronto was eliminated from playoff contention.
Final Stats:
Hamilton’s offense had 387 yards (320 yards passing, 95 yards rushing, 28 yards lost), 17 first downs, 2 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized two times for 15 yards. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 18 of 25 passes (76.4%) for 320 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and two carries for 13 yards.
Running back Greg Bell had 12 carries for 76 yards, one rushing touchdown, and three catches for 20 yards. Wide receiver Brendan O’Leary-Orange made two catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Kiondre Smith made six catches for 98 yards, and Kenny Lawler made three catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns. The defense made 52 tackles, nine sacks, four interceptions, two force fumbles, one fumble recovery, and a safety.
The nine sacks made by Hamilton tied them for the third-most in a single game. The Edmonton Elks set the record with 13 sacks in 1993, B.C. Lions had 12 sacks in 2006, and the Toronto Argonauts had nine sacks in 2023. Defensive lineman Julian Howsare had four sacks, Philip Ossai had three sacks, and defensive back Stavros Katsantonis made three interceptions.
Toronto’s offense had 305 yards (323 yards passing, 48 yards rushing, 55 yards lost), 23 first downs, 2 for 2 in the redzone, and the team was penalized three times for 25 yards. Quarterback Jarret Doege completed 34 of 49 passes (69.3%) for 323 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions, and two carries for one yard.
Running back Spencer Brown had eight carries for 47 yards. Wide receiver Makai Polk made eight catches for 88 yards, while Dejon Brissett made eight catches for 88 yards, and David Ungerer III made six catches for 60 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next week, the Toronto Argonauts visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday at 7 pm on TSN and CFL+. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at 3 pm on CTV, TSN, and CFL+.
