The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG – The Tiger-Cats had a chance to take the easy way out. In fact, they have been given that opportunity numerous times this year.
The easy out would have been to fold it up, pack up shop and start working on next year.
An 0-8 start didn’t do it; a coaching change shortly thereafter didn’t do it and neither did a heart-breaking loss to their rival last week.
Hamilton surrendered a large fourth-quarter lead on home turf last week, ultimately falling to the Toronto Argonauts which put their playoff hopes on thin ice.
However, with one win they remain just three points out of what is likely to be the second and final playoff spot in the East (with a crossover looming) with a gutsy 30-13 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli stepped into a pass on the third play from scrimmage and delivered a strike to a waiting Brandon Banks for a 60-yard touchdown to start the game. Eventhough the game was in the balance at points after that, Masoli really didn’t look back.
The win not only to keep their playoff hopes alive but over the league’s second-best squad cannot be understated.
“This was a tough team that played their hearts out,” Masoli told TSN’s Sara Orlesky when speaking on the Bombers post-game. “Physical game tonight and hey, we have some mojo over here too so I am just proud of our guys and how we battled. Anytime you get a road win in the CFL is big.”
Unfazed when the ‘Cats lost their kicker, Masoli executed a perfect onside punt to start the third quarter which fueled a second half which showed the ‘Cats killer instinct for the first time this season as they put the Bombers away early.
Perhaps a moment no more defining than when Masoli and the Tiger-Cats answered a Bombers field goal with a 14-play touchdown drive which took 8:45 off the clock. Almost as important as killing time in the fourth was keeping Bombers backup QB Dominique Davis on the sidelines as he sought rhythm which never arrived.
“Those are championship-like drives right there,” Masoli continued. “When you put together long drives against a really good team like that and you are up, all you need is the ball back and a little momentum.”
Complementing Masoli’s play was that of Banks who had his second 100-yard night in as many games and an offensive line that was united almost the entire night. Having time to deliver passes only made Masoli more comfortable and the line opened up holes through the middle of the Bombers defence to allow RB Alex Green to reach second level on a handful of second down runs.
“I’m confident obviously but it is about all the guys around me,” Masoli said of his teammates. “Those guys are executing hard and finishing the game like tonight.”
The Ticats and their evolving pivot have passed what is likely the second most important challenge in the stretch drive. The Calgary Stampeders await them next week in a battle of one team who has an opening to secure top spot and another with one last push to the playoffs on their mind.
