On Thursday night at BC Place, the BC Lions took on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, looking to keep pace in the West Division, while Hamilton looked to continue their momentum after beating Ottawa last week. This was a low-scoring game. If you are a fan of defense, this was your game.
The only points scored in the first quarter went to BC on a Sean Whyte 37-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 3:36 left. Hamilton had the ball to begin the second quarter.
Hamilton got down to the Lions’ seven-yard line in the second quarter before Seth Small made a 14-yard field that tied the game 3-3 with 13:27 left.
The first touchdown of the game went to the Lions. Quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back James Butler led the offense down to Hamilton’s 14-yard line. Then, Rourke dropped back from the pocket and threw a dart to Jevon Cottoy for the touchdown. It was 10-3 Lions with 5:25 left in the second quarter.
On the Ticats’ next drive, Dane Evans threw short passes to get Hamilton down to the Lions’ 16-yard line before Seth Small made a 23-yard field goal, cutting the Lions’ lead 10-6 with 2:01 left. Hamilton had one more opportunity to get close to BC before halftime, but Seth Small missed a 41-yard field goal, and the Lions led 10-6 at halftime.
The Lions’ defense came through in the third quarter when Quincy Mauger tackled the ball out of Tim White’s hands, and BC recovered. The Lions took advantage of the turnover when Nathan Rourke threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Lucky Whitehead for a 17-6 lead with 6:12 left.
On Hamilton’s next possession, quarterback Dane Evans threw a couple of short passes before the big one when he threw the ball over the shoulder catch by Steven Dunbar for a 32-yard touchdown. Hamilton tried a two-point conversion but didn’t get it, and it was 17-12 with 2:56 left. Hamilton had the ball to start the fourth quarter.
Both defenses made quick work for the majority of the fourth quarter. Hamilton went on a long drive late in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 3, they were at the Lions’ 11-yard line, but Dane Evans’s pass to Tim White was incomplete.
On the final play of the game, Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans went for a hail mary, but his pass was intercepted by Garry Peters, ending the game, and the Lions won 17-12. The Lions are now 4-1, while the Tiger-Cats are now 1-5.
BC quarterback Nathan Rourke went 22/30 for 250 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and four carries for eight yards. Running back, James Butler had 13 carries for 76 yards, while wide receiver Lucky Whitehead had eight catches for 111 yards and one touchdown.
The Lions’ defense allowed 414 yards, 56 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, five pass breakups, one interception, and one fumble recovery. The Lions play the Saskatchewan Roughriders next Friday at 9 pm on ESPN2.
Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans went 26/38 for 297 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and six carries for 24 yards. Running back, Don Jackson had 11 carries for 36 yards, while Steven Dunbar had five catches for 83 yards and one touchdown. Hamilton’s defense allowed 337 yards, 45 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions. Hamilton plays Montreal next Thursday at 7:30 pm on ESPN+.
