On Friday night at Tim Hortons Field, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats took on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, looking to keep pace in the playoff race with three weeks left in the regular season. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan was looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Saskatchewan got off to a good start in the first quarter. On the second series for the Roughriders, the refs initially missed a facemask penalty on Hamilton’s Tunde Adeleke. However, after Saskatchewan challenged the play, they won the challenge and moved up 15 yards.
Two plays later, Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a 24-yard pass to Keion Schaffer-Baker. It was one of three passes by Fajardo to reach the Ticats ten-yard line. Then, Fajardo threw a slant pass to Baker as he broke a tackle on his way to the endzone for the touchdown, putting the Roughriders up 7-0 with 5:55 left.
On Hamilton’s next possession, quarterback Dane Evans threw a 50-yard pass to Anthony Johnson. Then, running back Wes Hills had two carries for five yards to reach the Roughriders’ one-yard line. Quarterback Dane Evans scored the touchdown with a quarterback sneak, but kicker Seth Small missed the extra point, and Saskatchewan led 7-6 with 4:07 left.
Hamilton’s defense came up big on the series when Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo threw an ill-advised pass that Richard Leonard easily intercepted. However, Saskatchewan’s defense responded when Nick Marshall intercepted Dane Evans’s pass with 1:27 left in the first quarter. The Roughriders converted a second down and faced first and ten to begin the second quarter up 7-6.
Saskatchewan moved the ball a bit before punting back to Hamilton. After the Ticats went two-and-out, the Roughriders’ special teams came up huge when Miles Brown blocked a punt, and Saskatchewan recovered on the Ticats 13-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Justin McInnis, making it 14-6 with 9:30 left.
Later in the game, Hamilton cut Saskatchewan’s lead to 14-9 on a 39-yard field goal from Seth Small. Hamilton had another opportunity to get closer to the Roughriders, but Pete Robertson intercepted Dane Evans’s pass. Saskatchewan led 14-9 at halftime.
Saskatchewan’s offense had 185 yards, while quarterback Cody Fajardo was 17/19 for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Wide receivers Justin McInnis and Kian Schaffer-Baker combined for seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s offense had 190 yards, while quarterback Dane Evans was 5/13 for 137 yards, two interceptions, three carries for three yards, and one touchdown.
In the third quarter, Hamilton kicker Seth Small made two field goals. The first went for 42 yards, and the other went for 30 yards, putting the Ticats up 15-14 with 1:16 left. Saskatchewan went two-and-out and punted the ball back to Hamilton at the end of the third quarter trailing 15-14.
In the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan forced a two-and-out. After a scuffle between the two teams, Saskatchewan moved the ball a bit but ran into a dead end and punted the ball back to Hamilton. The Ticats’ offense took their time making small gains, leading to a 29-yard field goal by Seth Small for an 18-14 lead with 2:21 left.
Saskatchewan had a couple of opportunities to win the game, but Fajardo’s pass was intercepted on the last play of the game by Ciante Evans, ending the game. Hamilton won 18-14 for their fifth win of the season, while Saskatchewan has lost their fourth straight game and are 6-10 for the season.
It’s mind-boggling to see how bad Saskatchewan has fallen this year, even though they are still alive in the playoffs via a crossover. Many picked them to win the Grey Cup. However, this season has revealed that they have issues with being undisciplined and not in sync with each other, resulting in many two-and-outs. Meanwhile, Hamilton has gotten back into the playoff race. This win was huge and could keep Saskatchewan out of the playoffs.
Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans 11/24 for 214 yards, two interceptions, four carries for five yards, and one touchdown. Running back Wes Hills had 25 carries for 132 yards, while wide receiver Anthony Johnson had three catches for 91 yards.
Hamilton’s defense allowed 288 yards, 49 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Hamilton visits Calgary next Friday at 9:30 pm on ESPN+.
Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo was 24/31 for 259 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and five carries for 22 yards. Running back Shaq Cooper had five carries for seven yards, while wide receivers Justin McInnis and Kian Schaffer-Baker combined for ten catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Saskatchewan’s defense allowed 350 yards, 52 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery. The Roughriders are off next week.
