The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-4) visited TD Place on Friday night against the Ottawa Redblacks (3-4) in their second meeting of the season. The two teams first played each other on July 8th in Hamilton when the Ticats beat the Redblacks 21-13.
The big story coming into this game was the return of Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who has been out with a lower-body injury for five weeks. Shortly after the game began, it went into an hour weather delay before resuming.
In the first quarter, Ottawa’s defense came up with a big play when Mitchell overthrew wide receiver Duke Williams and Douglas Coleman II intercepted the ball before returning it for 48 yards. On second down, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum took off for eight yards which set up a Lewis Ward 50-yard field goal. He converted it and the Redblacks led 3-0 with 10:26 left.
On the fourth play for Hamilton, Bo Levi Mitchell threw an 18-yard completion to James Butler. The Ticats reached the Redblacks’ five-yard line before throwing a touchdown pass to Duke Williams. Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio missed the extra point and it was 6-3 Hamilton with 4:59 left. The Ticats led 6-3 after one quarter and had the ball on Ottawa’s 54-yard line.
Hamilton began the second quarter going two and out before punting the ball to Ottawa. Hamilton’s defense had a big second quarter with three sacks, two of them by Malik Carney. The two teams traded field goals. Hamilton kicker Marc Liegghio made a 25-yard field goal which made it 9-3 with 56 seconds left. Then, Ottawa’s Abdul Kanneh intercepted Bo Levi Mitchell with 15 seconds left which led to a Lewis Ward 40-yard field goal that made it 9-6 at halftime.
Hamilton had 220 yards on offense. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 16 of 25 passes (64%) for 215 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The running game was not effective at all with Tyreik McAllister, James Butler, and Kai Locksley combined logging seven carries for 11 yards. Wide receiver Terry Godwin had four catches for 65 yards, and Duke Williams had three catches for 35 yards and one touchdown. The Ticats were penalized three times for 15 yards.
Ottawa had 67 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 3 of six passes (50%) for 34 yards, and led the rushers with six carries for 24 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had two carries for 19 yards, and wide receiver Justin Hardy had two catches for 29 yards. The Redblacks’ defense had a nice first half with one sack and two interceptions for 88 yards.
In the third quarter, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum tried to throw a long pass to Shaq Evans but it was underthrown and intercepted by Kenneth George and he returned it for 15 yards. Hamilton could not take advantage of the turnover and punted it back to Ottawa.
Later in the third quarter, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward converted a 54-yard field goal which tied the game 9-9 with 9:22 left. Late in the third quarter, a bizarre play happened. Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell tried to throw the ball to Terry Godwin but it was intercepted by Brandin Dandridge. Dandridge ran with the football before Godwin stripped him of it and Hamilton recovered the football.
On the next play, Hamilton went with a bubble screen as Mitchell threw a side pass to Kai Locksley, who had great blocking in front of him before scoring a 75-yard touchdown. It was now 16-9 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward made a 15-yard field goal that cut Hamilton’s lead down to 16-12 with 7:52 left. On the second play for Hamilton, Bo Levi Mitchell threw his fourth interception to Alonzo Addae that was intended for Tim White. Ottawa could not take advantage and punted the ball back to Hamilton.
Ottawa’s defense gave the offense another chance after Mitchell threw his fifth interception to Frankie Griffin. Once again, they came up empty-handed. Late in the game, Ottawa’s offense marched down to the Ticats’ four-yard line. On third down, Dustin Crum’s pass was batted down by Casey Sayles and Hamilton took over.
After the play, Hamilton’s Chris Edwards was penalized for objectionable conduct and the ball was placed on the Ticats’ two-yard line. Bo Levi Mitchell went for a quarterback sneak to get some breathing room but injured his ankle and had to be carried off the field. Taylor Powell came in to take the final snap of the game and the Ticats beat the Redblacks by the final score of 16-12.
The concern now is what is the status of Bo Levi Mitchell. He came back early from his previous injury and did this potentially cost him more games? Mitchell finished the night completing 23 of 40 passes (58%) for 353 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions, and two carries for five yards.
Running back James Butler had a decent game with six carries for 12 yards, and two catches for 30 yards. The running back was a non-factor. Wide receiver Kai Locksley led the receivers with two catches for 91 yards and one touchdown.
Hamilton’s defense had a good game allowing 272 yards, with 50 tackles, eight sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
For Ottawa, they went away with the duel-threat quarterback presence which made opponents confused as to what play they were running. Tonight, Hamilton’s defense snuffed them out and Ottawa did not have much success offensively. They need to go back to the duel-threat game next week.
Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 13 of 21 passes (62%) for 158 yards, one interception, and led the rushers with 13 carries for 82 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had eight carries for 53 yards, and two catches for 43 yards, while wide receiver Justin Hardy had five catches for 65 yards. Ottawa’s defense allowed 370 yards, with 36 tackles, one sack, and five interceptions.
Next Saturday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network, and the Ottawa Redblacks visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders next Sunday at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
