The Tiger-Cats dropped a heartbreaking 25-23 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the annual Hall of Fame Game at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday night. Quinton Porter, who quarterbacked the Ticats for the entire second half, completed 11 of 17 pass attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown.
The game began with an emotional atmosphere, as the Tiger-Cats paid tribute to Ron Lancaster, who passed away one day ago. With Lancaster’s family gathered on the sidelines, fans clapped as a photo montage of the Little General was displayed on the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Tigervision which was followed by a moment of silence.
The first point of a defence dominated first quarter came on a 51-yard Nick Setta punt. Each team would then trade fumbles, with Ticats rookie linebacker separating Bombers return man Jason Armstead from the ball, a play that was immediately followed by Bombers defensive back Jovon Johnson recovering a Tony Miles fumble.
After defensive end Alain Kashama recorded a quarterback sack in his first game in Black and Gold, Winnipeg quarterback Kevin Glenn hooked up with receiver Derick Armstrong on a 63-yard touchdown pass to close out the first quarter’s scoring with the Bombers ahead 7-1.
The second quarter began with a bit of trickery by the Ticats, as kicker Nick Setta faked a punt by connecting with Chad Rempel on a 12-yard pass, extending the Cats drive. Three plays later, Casey Printers would hit Scott Mitchell with an 18-yard strike in the end zone to give the rookie receiver his first career touchdown, and more importantly, a one-point lead for the Ticats.
Winnipeg would attempt a trick play of their own on their next possession. With the Bombers poised to score with the ball on Hamilton’s 15-yard line, Glenn would pitch the ball to running back Fred Reid, whothen tossed the ball to receiver Arjei Franklin. After closing quickly on the ball, defensive back Chris Thompson would make an athletic over-the-shoulder interception to deny the Bombers their second score of the game.
After a 26-yard field goal by Winnipeg kicker Alexis Serna would make the score 10-8, the Bombers defence helped add to their total by forcing the Cats to concede a safety with the ball deep in their own end.
The Bombers continued to pad their lead in the half’s final minute. At the end of a X-yard, xX drive, Kevin Glenn threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Terrence Edwards with 47 seconds remaining in the half.
After two quarters, the Bombers led 19-8.
Quinton Porter entered the game at quarterback for the Ticats to begin the second half and the rookie pivot made an immediate impact. Porter completed a handful of short passes before unleashing a 33-yard strike to receiver Prechae Rodriguez, taking the Cats down to the Bombers seven-yard line. Terry Caulley would finish the drive one play later, taking the ball into the end zone to cut the Ticats lead to just four points.
An Alexis Serna field goal would close out the third quarter’s scoring and give Wininpeg a 22-15 advantage.
Hamilton’s defence set the tone early in the final quarter. With Winnipeg facing a third-and-one on the Cats goalline, linebacker Cornelius Anthony stuffed Bombers running back Fred Reid to end the visitor’s scoring threat.
Winnipeg would add two points to their tally a few minutes later on another conceded Hamilton safety after the Cats were unable to move the chains. The safety gave the Bombers a 24-15 lead with 12:48 left in the game.
Quinton Porter continued to shine in his first significant CFL test. The Boston College product brought the 19,102 in attendance to their feet and the Black and Gold within two points on the Cats next drive by completing a 42-yard bomb to Prechae Rodriguez in the end zone.
The Bombers responded with an efficient drive of their own on their next possession. Alexis Serna’s 31-yard field goal was ruined by a bad snap, however, giving the Bombers only a single point
Down 25-23 with 3:46 to go, Porter led the Ticats offence on the field once again. Using a series of crisp passes and a 30-yard scramble, Porter brought the Black and Gold to Winnipeg’s 17-yard line, setting up a potential game-tying field goal with 1:11 left.
Unfortunately for the Cats, disaster struck on the field goal attempt as a bad snap resulted in Setta kick sailing wide left of the uprights, virtually eliminating any chance of a comeback victory for the Ticats.
The Bombers would run out the remaining time left on the clock, handing the Black and Gold a 25-23 loss.
