The Tiger-Cats were unable to complete a season sweep of their provincial rivals, as the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Black and Gold 34-31 in the 58th Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Monday. The Ticats ran for 259 yards in the loss, as Jesse Lumsden eclipsed the century mark with 104 yards while Terry Caulley and Casey Printers each ran for 68 apiece.
The Argonauts special teams provided the game’s first play play, as Dominique Dorsey returned the ball 57 yards into Ticats territory on the opening kickoff. A few plays later, Toronto running back Jamal Robertson would find the end zone from one-yard out, giving the Argos an early 7-0 lead.
The Ticats, wearing their gold jerseys, would answer immediately. Casey Printers, making his first start in four games after recovering from a thumb injury, lead the Cats on a solid 74-yard drive that ended with the former CFL Most Outstanding Player reaching across the goal line on a four-yard scramble.
After the Argos added another three points thanks to a 21-yard Mike Vanderjagt field goal, Hamilton’s defence stepped up. After a Nick Setta punt pinned the Boatmen deep in their own end, defensive back Lawrence Gordon made a diving knockdown to prevent a potential Bethel Johnson touchdown. Toronto would be forced to concede a safety on the first play of the second quarter, making the score 10-9 for the Double Blue.
A Vanderjagt kickoff would put another point on the Argos tally before the Black and Gold took over possession.
Printers would once again direct a successful drive, which culminated when he hit Chris Bauman for a 13-yard touchdown pass to put the Ticats ahead 16-11 with 10:37 left in the half.
Toronto retook the lead with 5:52 left in the half after Dorsey made another great return, this one for 48 yards after a Nick Setta punt. Joseph quickly followed up Dorsey’s return with an 11-yard pass to Arland Bruce, who found the end zone to put the visitors up 18-16.
After blocking a 27-yard Nick Setta attempt in the final minute. the Double Blue would add another field goal to their score and would head to their locker room with a 21-16 advantage over the Ticats at the half.
The Cats came out on fire in the third quarter.
First, Nick Setta connected on a 43-yard field goal. After the Ticats forced the Argos offence to go two-and-out, the Ticats once again took the lead. The Black and Gold marched 74 yards down the field, where Printers would score on a 26-yard scramble. With Printers second major of the evening, the Ticats took a 26-21 lead.
A 28-yard Vanderjagt field goal would provide the rest of the quarter’s scoring, and the Ticats entered the final frame with a 26-24 advantage.
The Black and Gold’s lead evaporated with 11:40 remaining after a 50-yard Vanderjagt field goal.
The Double Blue extended their lead a little over three minutes later when Hamilton native Bryan Crawford ran into the end zone from the one yard line, making the count 34-24 in favour of the visitors.
Hamilton would cut into the deficit with 5:42 thanks to their defence. The Argos were forced to surrender another safety, bringing the Black and Gold within six. A few minutes later, Setta’s second field goal of the game would make the score 34-31.
After the defence once again made the Argos give up possession after a quick series, Printers and the Cats took over at their own 32 with 1:28 remaining in the game.
Printers led the team down to the Argos when they were forced to make a difficult decision. Facing 3rd-and-one and arguably within field goal distance, the Ticats elected to go for it. On the ensuing play, fullback Jeff Piercy charged ahead but was met by Argos defensive end Riall Johnson after gaining nearly a yard. Officials called for a measurement which confirmed the bad news – the Cats came up short.
The Argos would run out what little time remained to send the Cats home with a hard-fought 34-31 Labour Day Classic loss.
