On Saturday evening at TD Place, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats closed out the regular season against the Ottawa Redblacks. Hamilton rested most of their starters, and the Redblacks were looking to avoid the sweep.
In the first quarter, Hamilton quarterback Matthew Shiltz threw four consecutive passes for 60 yards to get to the Redblacks’ one-yard line. Then, third-string quarterback Jamie Newman scored the touchdown with a quarterback sneak for a 7-0 lead with 11:33 left.
Those would be the only points scored in the first quarter. Ottawa did get one long drive but ended up punting the ball. Hamilton led 7-0 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, it was the kickers who did the scoring. First, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward made a 29-yard field goal, cutting Hamilton’s lead 7-3 with 8:11 left. Next, Hamilton kicker Seth Small got those three points back with a 37-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead with 5:25 left.
Then, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward made two more field goals for 51 yards, while Hamilton kicker Seth made another field goal for 30 yards, and the Tiger-Cats led 13-9 at halftime.
Hamilton quarterback Matthew Shiltz was 10/16 for 130 yards while running back Wes Hills had five carries for 44 yards as part of Hamilton’s 172 yards on offense. Meanwhile, Ottawa quarterback Caleb Evans was 12/18 for `05 yards, and six carries for 22 yards as part of Ottawa’s 165 yards on offense.
In the third quarter, Hamilton made a quarterback change with Dane Evans in for Matthew Shiltz. Hamilton kicker Seth Small made a 40-yard field goal for a 16-9 lead with 5:06 left. Those were the only points scored in the third quarter, and Hamilton had the ball to begin the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Hamilton’s offense marched down to the Redblacks’ one-yard line before Jamie Newman scored his second touchdown with a quarterback sneak. Hamilton’s lead grew to 23-9 with 10:46 left.
Ottawa made a quarterback change with Tyrie Adams in for Caleb Evans. Adams threw four passes for 64 yards. After that, Caleb Evans scored a touchdown with a quarterback sneak, cutting the Tiger-Cats lead to 23-16 with 4:45 left.
Ottawa had a couple of chances to tie the game but turned over the ball twice, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats went into victory formation to complete the season sweep with a 23-16 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans was 7/9 for 117 yards, with five carries for 21 yards. Running back Sean Thomas-Erlington had five carries for 44 yards, while wide receiver Terry Godwin had five catches for 91 yards. Hamilton’s defense allowed 304 yards, with 43 tackles, one sack, and five pass breakups. Hamilton visits the Montreal Alouettes next Sunday in the Eastern Semi-Final at 1 pm on ESPN.
Meanwhile, Ottawa quarterback Caleb Evans was 14/25 for 110 yards, while Tyrie Adams was 8/12 for 98 yards, with three carries for 30 yards. Running back Brendan Gillanders had five carries for 20 yards, while wide receiver Darvin Adams had eight catches for 95 yards.
Ottawa has a lot of work to do in the offseason. While they made some good plays. They were unable to find the endzone until late in the game. This roster is going to look completely different next year, and if they surround quarterback Jeremiah Masoli with talent. Ottawa could make a run next year.
