The Tiger-Cats bid for their second straight win was unsuccessful, as the Black and Gold dropped a 37-24 decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium on Thursday night. The Ticats offence managed 211 rushing yards, including 99 and two touchdowns by Terry Caulley, but turned the ball over five times in the loss.
The game saw last week’s CFL Offensive Player of the Week Richie Williams pick up right where he left off, leading the Ticats deep into Winnipeg territory on their second possession of the tilt. The promising drive would be ended prematurely however, as receiver Prechae Rodriguez would lose control of the ball on the Bombers three yard line, resulting in an untimely turnover for the Black and Gold.
The Ticats defence atoned for that mistake a few plays later when Zeke Moreno picked off a Kevin Glenn pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown, putting the visitors ahead 7-0.
Glenn redeemed himself on Winnipeg’s next drive as he lead the Bombers offence on an 11-play, 72 yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Charles Roberts.
The score remained an even 7-7 after 15 minutes.
Winnipeg’s defence made a big play of their own to begin the second quarter. On a third-and-one attempt, Williams fumbled, allowing Bombers linebacker Joe Lobendahn to scoop up the ball and return it 84 yards to Hamilton’s one-yard line. Charles Roberts would punch in his second one-yard major of the game to put the home team up 14-7.
A few minutes later, the Ticats third turnover of the half – this one on downs – led to an Alexis Serna
Serna field goal, extending Winnipeg’s lead to 10.
Terry Caulley, who had a big first half, responded for the Black and Gold with a five-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds remaining in the half to cut into the Ticats deficit.
Serna would add a single on a missed field goal before the second quarter expired, giving Winnipeg a 18-14 advantage at the half.
The third quarter saw each team tack seven points to their total courtesy of a five-yard Glenn to Derick Armstrong touchdown pass at 10:30 and a four-yard Terry Caulley run into the end zone at 2:22.
Hamilton trailed 25-21 heading into the final quarter.
After each team kicked field goals on their first possession of the fourth quarter, the Bombers added another point because of another missed field goal.
Down by four and with a potential game-winning drive coming together for the Ticats, Winnipeg’s defence once again stepped up. Defensive end Gavin Walls deflected a Richie Williams pass, which fell into fellow lineman Tom Canada’s arms. Canada promptly turned upfield and rumbled 45 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bombers a sizeable 12 point lead with just under five minutes to play.
The Bombers defence would continue to hold strong, shutting down any hopes of a Ticats comeback while Winnipeg would add another point on a punt single to move into a tie for third place with a 37-24 win.
