In an Eastern Division clash, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats battled the Ottawa Redblacks Wednesday night at TD Place. Before the game started, it was raining in Ottawa. The rain briefly stopped before picking back up when the game started.
The rain affected both teams’ passing games early in the first quarter, so they kept the ball on the ground. The Redblacks offense were unable to move the ball in the first quarter.
Midway through the first quarter, Tiger-Cats quarterback David Watford and running back Sean Thomas Erlington moved the ball to the Redblacks’ 27-yard line before stalling. Tiger-Cats kicker Taylor Bertolet missed a 34-yard field goal as the ball went right over the right post and out of bounds. The Tiger-Cats came away with a single point 1-0 with 7:58 left.
With two seconds left in the first quarter, the Tiger-Cats were able to add a field goal. Kicker Taylor Bertolet’s 40-yarder added to their score as time expired for a 4-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Redblacks’ offense could not get anything going. On the Tiger-Cats first possession, Tiger-Cats quarterback David Watford’s pass went 36-yards to Jaelon Acklin, setting them up at the Redblacks’ 11-yard line. Then, on a screen pass, David Watford passed to Steven Dunbar Jr., who had blockers in front of him and was able to glide in for the touchdown. The Tiger-Cats were up 11-0 with 11:13 left.
The Tiger-Cats defense made quick work of the Redblacks, giving the ball back to the offense. With 4:41 left in the second quarter, Tiger-Cats kicker Taylor Bertolet made his second field goal of the game for 50-yards for a 14-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, Bertolet missed a field goal from 44-yards giving the Redblacks’ special teams time to take it out of the endzone. The Tiger-Cats led 14-0 at halftime.
On the Redblacks’ second possession of the third quarter, Redblacks quarterback Dominique Davis’s pass to R.J. Harris was intercepted by Tiger-Cats defensive back Jumal Rolle. Rolle ran for 87-yards and in for the touchdown. Tiger-Cats led 21-0. Dominique Davis was hurt chasing Rolle. Matt Nichols became the new Redblacks quarterback. Unfortunately, Nichols did not do much better as the Tiger-Cats led 21-0 at the end of the third quarter.
After the Redblacks’ defense forced the Tiger-Cats to punt, the game looked like it turned in the Redblacks favor. Redblacks returner DeVonte Dedmon returned the punt for a 63-yard touchdown which ended the shutout. The Redblacks trailed the Tiger-Cats 21-7 with 11:17 left in the game.
The Redblacks’ defense came up big, stopping the Tiger-Cats offense to get the offense back on the field. Redblacks quarterback Matt Nichols led the team down to the Tiger-Cats 35-yard line. Facing a third-and-one, the Redblacks went for it and failed, turning the ball over with 7:10 left in the game.
The Tiger-Cats offense took their time getting to the Redblacks side of the field. Finally, the Tiger-Cats made it to the Redblacks’ seven-yard line before Taylor Bertolet made a 14-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead.
Redblacks wide receiver Timothy Flanders was the new quarterback. The Redblacks did move the ball; however, time expired, and the Tiger-Cats defeated the Redblacks 24-7 to win two straight games.
Tiger-Cats quarterback David Watford went 15/25 for 115-yards, one touchdown, and 11 carries for 54-yards. Running back Sean Thomas Erlington had nine carries for 41-yards. Jaelon Acklin led the team in receiving with two receptions for 44-yards. The defense recorded two sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
For the Redblacks, Dominique Davis (6/14, 50-yards, one interception) and Matt Nichols (7/10, 68-yards) combined 13/24 for 118-yards and one interception. Running back Timothy Flanders had ten carries for 53-yards. Wide receiver Ryan Davis led the team with two receptions for 37-yards. The defense recorded one sack.
The Ottawa Redblacks will host the Edmonton Elks next Tuesday, September 28th, at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, October 2nd, at 4 pm ESPN+.
