QBs put on a show in highest scoring Argos, Ticats Labour Day

HAMILTON — In a game that saw numerous lead changes and massive swings in momentum, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts respective quarterbacks put on a clinic.

Zach Collaros and Ricky Ray combined for 744 yards and 7 touchdowns and the 85 points scored by both teams was a new record between the clubs on Labour Day Monday.

Ray started 13-for-13, Collaros 8-for-8 in the first quarter.  The defence each contributed with touchdowns each but this one was really about those behind centre.

Labour Day QB Totals
Zach Collaros: 28-35, 359 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Ricky Ray: 31-41, 386 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

Collaros put 122 yards on the back of Luke Tasker, while Ray relied on Diontae Spencer (132 yards) and Tori Gurley (two touchdowns).

But it was more than just the numbers that told the story in this one.  It was the calm of Ray and the fire of Collaros that forced these two teams to continuously go shot-for-shot until the Tiger-Cats pulled away in the final frame.

The Ticats jumped out to an early 7-0 lead off an impressive opening drive but their offence fell apart after that.  Four consecutive turnovers spotted the Argonauts a 13-point lead heading into halftime.

“We really killed ourselves in the second quarter there. We really dug a hole for ourselves but we fought through it,” Collaros told reporters after the game.

“With the (change in this league) it doesn’t matter if you are up 30 or down 30, we are going to be all out.  (The Argos) weren’t doing anything that is really prohibiting us from what we need to do. It was us making mistakes.  I through a pick, fumbled the ball, Chad fumbles a ball and put our defence in bad situations.”

The passing game was flowing in the second half but it was CJ Gable’s 117 yards on the ground that opened things up for Collaros against an Argos defence that was primarily playing a 34 defence.

“They were dropping nine guys almost every snap, daring us to run the ball,” Collaros continued. “CJ  was running guys over and that’s what he should do every time.”

Ray and Collaros will go at it again next week when the scene switches to BMO Field next Sunday at 4:30pm ET.  For tickets, click here.