The Tiger-Cats were unable to overcome a slow start in a 43-16 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Thursday night. Receiver Tony Miles made eight receptions for 75 yards in the loss, in which the Ticats turned over the ball six times.
Kicker Nick Setta finished off the Tiger-Cats first drive with a massive 97-yard punt single to put the Ticats ahead 1-0. After Ray Mariuz sacked Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris to help force a Calgary two-and-out, Tre Smith was unable to corral the punt, leading to a turnover at Hamilton’s 25.
A few plays later, Stampeders kicker Sandro DeAngelis would connect on a 20-yard field goal to put the home side up 3-1.
The Stampeders offence continued on their next possession, as running back Joffrey Reynolds ended a 6-play, 78-yard scoring drive with a 14-yard touchdown drive.
Setta would add another punt single before the end of the first quarter to make the score 10-2 after 15 minutes of play.
Calgary showed no signs of slowing down when play resumed in the second quarter. DeAngelis added another field goal to extend the Stamps lead to 11. Soon after, a promising Cats drive was ended by a Casey Printers fumble, which Henry Burris and the Stamps took full advantage of by hitting receiver Nik Lewis with a 16-yard touchdown pass to put Calgary way ahead 20-2.
Printers and the Black and Gold would continue fighting. The former Most Outstanding Player completed key passes to Tony Miles and Scott Mitchell to lead the Cats to Calgary’s goal line, where Printers would plunge in from one yard out to cut the Stamps lead to 11.
Once again, the Stamps had an answer. Burris put together an efficient six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that culminated with Nik Lewis’ second touchdown reception of the evening to further Calgary’s cushion to 27-9.
Each team would record an interception, with Hamilton’s Rontarius Robinson and Calgary’s Jojuan Armour picking off errant passes to conclude the half.
The Ticats opened the second half in a big way. Printers found receiver Prechae Rodriguez – making his first career start – to set up a 10-yard touchdown run by Cats running back Terry Caulley.
Calgary’s offensive onslaught continued for the duration of the third frame, as Reynolds would add his second and third rushing touchdowns of the evening and DeAngelis scored one point one a kickoff single. Nick Setta’s third punt single of the game would be the only other scoring of the quarter for the Ticats, who trailed 42-16 at the end of three quarters.
A punt single by Stamps punter Burke Dales would be the only additional scoring in the game, as the Ticats would leave Calgary with a disappointing 43-16 loss.
