The Tiger-Cats were smothered by a powerful B.C. Lions defence, dropping a 40-10 Saturday night matchup at B.C. Place. Chris Bauman had five receptions for 65 yards and his third touchdown of the season for the Ticats. The Black and Gold surrendered 10 sacks and turned the ball over six times in the loss.
Quinton Porter’s first professional start didn’t begin the way the rookie from Boston College had hoped, as Lions defensive back Korey Banks picked off Porter’s first pass attempt.
Quarterback Buck Pierce and the Lions’ offence took advantage of the turnover, as he Pierce hit receiver Paris Jackson in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out, giving the home side an early 7-0 lead.
Pierce added to the Lions total five minutes later with the game’s first big play, a 79-yard catch-and-run connection with receiver Geroy Simon for a 14-point lead 7:34 into the game.
A 28-yard field goal by B.C. kicker Paul McCallum would give the Lions a substantial 17-0 advantage after the first quarter.
The second quarter began with new Ticats running back Kenton Keith showing his potential with an impressive 18 yard run that made several defenders miss. After a couple of near touchdowns on consecutive plays, the Ticats offence would have to settle for a 29-yard Nick Setta field goal.
A conceded safety by Nick Setta was the only other scoring play of the second frame, sending the Ticats to their dressing room facing a 19-3 halftime deficit.
After each team traded fumbles to begin the second half, Pierce hooked up with Geroy Simon on a 14-yard touchdown pass to extend B.C.’s lead to 23.
There would be no further scoring in the third quarter, with the lone highlight coming from Ticats defensive back Chris Thompson, who made a spectacular interception in the Cats end zone then returned the ball 67 yards to midfield.
The fourth quarter began with the Black and Gold completing a fake punt for the second consecutive game, as Nick Setta tossed a 21-yard pass to Chad Rempel with the Cats facing third-and-13. The trick played paid off moments later when Quinton Porter found Chris Bauman, who made a tough 28-yard touchdown reception to make the score 26-10.
With momentum seemingly on Hamilton’s side for the first time in the game, the Lions virtually eliminated any chance on their next possession. Jarious Jackson, who assuming quarterback duties from Buck Pierce in the fourth quarter, finished a nine-play, 77-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Coleman.
The Lions would add another major when third-string quarterback Zac Champion completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Paris Jackson, making the final 40-10 for the B.C. Lions.
