Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON, Ont. – Arland Bruce III didn’t need to score a touchdown to make his point.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cat receiver hauled in six passes for 115 yards, including ones from 44 and 43 yards that set up touchdowns in a 34-15 victory over his former team in the Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
“I contributed. I said that’s what I wanted to do when I came to this team and that’s what I did,” said the colourful wide receiver who was shipped to the Ticats from the Toronto Argonauts on July 29 after his work ethic was questioned.
Since then, the Argos have lost five-straight games to fall to 2-7 while the Ticats have won three and lost two since he came to Steeltown, to compile a 5-4 overall record. This was the first meeting between the teams since he made the trip down the highway.
Bruce may not have been able to perform a much-anticipated end zone celebratory dance, but Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said Bruce’s receptions were key in the victory.
“Two of our three touchdowns came off long passes that he caught,” said Bellefeuille. “Against such a good (Toronto) defence, you can’t nickel and dime them all the way down the field. You’ve got to have some big plays and he provided them for us.”
Bruce said it was a very different feel for him this Labour Day, now playing for the home team in black and gold after five-plus seasons in Argo blue.
“Yeah, it felt different,” he said. “I got cheered all game instead of getting jeered and people talking about your family all game on the sidelines. . . It was a great atmosphere.”
