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CBC
a day ago
- Sport
- CBC
Hamilton Tiger-Cats continue winning streak, beating B.C. Lions 37-33
Even when his Hamilton Tiger-Cats were down 10 points with less than four minutes on the game clock, Kiondre Smith believed someone on his team would make a big play. He was right. Smith reeled in a last-minute touchdown reception on Sunday, lifting the Ticats (5-2) to an improbable 37-33 comeback victory over the B.C. Lions that stretched Hamilton's win streak to five straight games. "You just have to buckle down to the details and understand that you got to come back," said the Canadian receiver. "And with the group that we have this year and the staff that we have and what we've been doing in practice, the way we've been taking care of each other, there was never any doubt in there. It was just knowing that you had to do your job. Had to do your job and bite down. And we did that fully." B.C. pulled away with about four minutes left in the fourth quarter after Hamilton's Greg Bell fumbled and Sione Teuhema recovered the ball. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke then lobbed a 43-yard toss to Ayden Eberhardt, giving the home side a first down at Hamilton's two-yard line. Backup QB Jeremiah Masoli came on for short-yardage duty and propelled himself through a mass of bodies for a touchdown. Kicker Sean Whyte made the convert and the Lions took a 33-23 lead. Last-minute comeback The Ticats weren't about to go quietly, however. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell sailed a 44-yard pass to Brendan O'Leary-Orange in the end zone and kicker Marc Liegghio made a convert that cut Hamilton's deficit to three points. On their next possession, Mitchell and his teammates worked their way up the field until, with 16 seconds left on the clock, the QB connected with an unmanned Smith for the game-winning major. "I'm not gonna lie to you, I saw that pre snap," Smith said of the play, which marked his second TD of the game. "We had (players) bunched to the right, and they had two people out there. Someone was gonna be wide open. I'm fortunate enough for it to be me on that one." Mitchell made good on 34 of his 41 passing attempts on the night, throwing for 389 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. "That man is amazing," Smith said of the 35-year-old American. "He's a playmaker. He's a baller. He ages like wine and is continuing to show." Jake Dolegala chalked up a rushing major for the Ticats, and Liegghio made four converts and three field goals, including a 40-yard attempt. "I'm just so proud of these guys. Their confidence is building," said Hamilton's head coach Scott Milanovich. "Most of all, their faith and their belief in their teammates is building. And they believe when the game's on the line, that somebody's gonna make plays. And that's what happened." When a game slips away late, it comes down to a team's mental toughness, said Lions defensive back Robert Carter Jr. "It's a game of inches, so I would definitely say we had to mentally lock in there," he said. "And maybe one or two just wasn't mentally there." 'This is gonna sting for a while' Despite the final result, B.C. (3-5) had shining moments on Sunday. Rourke threw for 289 yards, connecting on 20 of his 27 attempts, while Whyte made four field goals — including a 45-yard kick — and three converts. Running back James Butler drove in a pair of TDs against his former team and rushed for 115 yards on 16 carries. Midway through the second quarter, Rourke dished off to an unmanned Keon Hatcher Sr. in the midfield. The receiver took advantage, sprinting deep into Hamilton territory for a 73-yard gain. Whyte capped the scoring drive with a 22-yard field goal. Carter made his own highlight reel-worthy play with just over a minute to go in the first half. Mitchell launched a rainbow toward the end zone, where the corner back snuck up behind Hamilton's O'Leary-Orange, leapt up and — with one hand — reeled in the ball. Losing after some big moments hurts, Carter said. "I would definitely say this is a devastating loss, just because we were up 10, three minutes left, you know?" he said. "Like, you've got fans leaving the game, thinking, like, `Oh, this game is over.' So I definitely thought we should have put that one away." Lions head coach Buck Pierce said his message to the team after the loss was that everyone in the locker room needs to understand the reality of where they are. "And have the ability to look at yourselves and ask yourself, `What more can I do?"' he said. "Because we've got to be able to finish football games. We've got to be able to get ourselves to a point where we're more consistent and find a way to close games out." B.C. is now headed into a bye week, and Pierce believes some time off will serve his group well. "This is gonna sting for a while, right?" he said. "But they have to move past the emotion of it to grow. And that's the big thing. It's OK to let it hurt, and it's OK to be a little hard on yourself right now. But you've got to move past that. And it's a resilient group, a tough group."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Veteran receiver Kenny Lawler making an immediate impact with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Kenny Lawler catches a pass against the Ottawa Redblacks during second half CFL action in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, July 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins Kenny Lawler hasn't wasted any time making an impact with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The six-foot-one, 180-pound receiver, who signed a two-year deal with Hamilton (4-2) in free agency, leads the CFL in receiving yards (644), touchdowns (career-high eight) and 30-yard receptions (eight). Lawler has 33 catches overall and registered touchdown receptions in five of six games this season. Lawler, 31, has developed a solid chemistry with Hamilton starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, the CFL leader in passing yards (1,812), touchdowns (12) and 300-yard games (four). Hamilton leads the league in offensive points (27 per game) and is tied with B.C. for passing TDs (both 12). The Ticats are also second in net passing yards (303.8 per game) behind the Lions (310.6). Hamilton visits B.C. (3-4) on Sunday night having won four straight. All of the victories have come against East Division rivals as the Ticats head into this contest 0-2 versus the West Division. Hamilton's defence has allowed just five TD passes and four 30-yard completions _ both league lows. The Ticats also lead the CFL in turnover ratio (plus-eight). B.C.'s offence isn't exactly chopped liver as quarterback Nathan Rourke has thrown for over 300 yards in four of his five starts. The Victoria native is averaging 321.4 yards per start, second only to Saskatchewan's Trevor Harris (325.2). Veteran Keon Hatcher Sr. is second overall in receiving yards (574) but tops in yards after catch (204). The Lions also sport the CFL's leading rusher in James Butler (504 yards), who'll face his former team for the first time. Both teams also have reliable veteran kickers. Hamilton's Marc Liegghio has made 30 straight field goals while B.C.'s Sean Whyte has converted on his last 26 attempts. Another wildcard for Hamilton this season has been returner Isaiah Wooden Sr., the CFL leader in combined yards (876). Wooden leads the league in kickoff returns (19), yards (538), 40-plus yard returns (four) and touchdowns (two) and is second in punt returns (18 for 271 yards, 15.1-yard average). Pick: Hamilton. Montreal Alouettes versus Calgary Stampeders (Thursday night) At Calgary, the Stampeders (5-1) chase their first four-game win streak since 2022. Veteran kicker Rene Paredes needs one field goal to become the sixth player to reach 600 for his career. Last week, Vernon Adams Jr. had three TD strikes in the club's 41-20 road win over Winnipeg. He's 3-0 versus Montreal (4-2), having passed for 982 yards and six TDs. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson starts for Montreal, which is 3-0-1 in it last four games versus Calgary, with incumbent Davis Alexander (hamstring) on the six-game injured list. Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth rallied the Als past Toronto 26-25 last week. Pick: Calgary. Edmonton Elks versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Friday night) At Regina, the Riders (5-1) have won 11 of their last 15 matchups versus Edmonton (1-4) but the Elks have claimed their last two contests in Saskatchewan. Harris needs 226 passing yards to become the 13th player to reach 35,000 for his career. He has completed 59-of-74 passes (79.7 per cent) for 820 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games. It's unclear who will start under centre for Edmonton but incumbent Tre Ford is 2-0 versus Saskatchewan while backup Cody Fajardo, a former Rider, hasn't started against the squad. Receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. has scored touchdowns in his past two games, Pick: Saskatchewan. Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus Toronto Argonauts (Saturday night) At Toronto, Nick Arbuckle is expected to make a seventh straight start at quarterback for the Argos (1-5) as Chad Kelly continues his recovery from the leg injury he suffered in last year's East Division final. The Argos are 20-4 with Kelly, the CFL's outstanding player in '23, and 7-11 without him. They're 3-1 in their last four home games versus Winnipeg (3-2). Receiver Kevin Mital had a career-high 10 catches versus Montreal and leads the CFL with 37 receptions. Zach Collaros was injured in last week's loss to Calgary but was a full participant in practice and will start for Winnipeg. Collaros is 10-7 over his career against Toronto but the Bombers have lost consecutive games by 20-plus points for the first time since 2014. Pick: Winnipeg. Last week: 2-2. Overall record: 16-11. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
National Post
21-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Hamilton to hold rally for NBA MVP and champion Gilgeous-Alexander
Canada's king of the court has won just about everything possible this year, but is about to receive another honour. Article content Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was born in Toronto but claims Hamilton as his home, will be recognized on Thursday Aug. 7 at 'Shai Rally Day' in Hamilton. Article content Article content Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP after finishing second last season (Steve Nash was the only Canadian to previously win the award), and helped Oklahoma City win its first NBA title last month after a stirring playoff run. He was also named NBA Finals MVP and led the league in scoring in the regular season. Article content Article content Article content Later he'll make an appearance at the Canadian Football League game between the Tiger-Cats and B.C. Lions. Article content 'I'm absolutely thrilled to bring Shai Rally Day to Hamilton,' Horwath said in a release. 'This is our city's official celebration of NBA Champion, NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, NBA Scoring Champion, ESPY Best Athlete — Men's Sports, and proud Hamiltonian, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.' Article content
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Rookie Veresuk quickly showing why Ticats drafted him second overall this year
Montreal Alouettes running back Travis Theis (30) is tackled by Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (49) during second half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power HAMILTON — It didn't take Devin Veresuk long to force the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' hand. When Hamilton selected the Windsor Lancers linebacker with the second pick of the 2025 CFL draft, it was clearly with the intent that Veresuk would develop into a starter down the line. But the future became a reality just two games into the season when the Ticats made the bold move of releasing veteran American Kyle Wilson and replacing him with the six-foot-two, 240-pound Canadian rookie. 'He'd had a week where it just looked like it clicked and he was becoming very instinctive,' said Ticats head coach Scott Milanovich. 'That's kind of when we decided it was time. 'I mean there's some mistakes … but he's very natural, a very good tackler and has the physical skills to chase things down if he does make a mistake. He does little stuff that's hard to teach and I think he's going to be a good one.' Coincidentally, Hamilton (3-2) hasn't lost since the move. It has reeled off three straight wins to move into a tie with Montreal (3-2) atop the East Division. Veresuk had a pick-six in his CFL debut and has led the team in tackles in both of his first two games. 'I thought I'd get an opportunity at some point but I didn't realize how quickly it was going to come,' Veresuk said. 'That being said, I had to step up to the plate and show I can do it. 'The guys have definitely helped settle me in, get used to it and into the swing of things but it has been a bit of an adjustment, for sure.' Wilson, who quickly caught on with the Calgary Stampeders, remains tied with safety Stavros Katsantonis for the Ticats' team lead in total tackles (23 each). Veresuk is tied with cornerback Jamal Peters for fourth at 21, one behind fellow linebacker Rayshawn Wilborn. Hamilton will chase a fourth straight win over an East team when it completes its home-and-home series with Ottawa (1-5) on Sunday night at TD Place. The Ticats earned a 23-20 victory Saturday night at Hamilton Stadium. Veresuk registered 160 total tackles (14 for loss), nine sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six in 22 games at Windsor. He also posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds at the University of Buffalo's pro day while also registering 27 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a 4.47-second short shuttle and 7.19-second three-cone drill. Those results helped land Veresuk an invitation to the Indianapolis Colts rookie mini-camp. He ultimately signed with Hamilton on May 14, two days after the start of its training camp. It didn't take Veresuk long to reward the Ticats' faith in him. He had a team-high nine tackles (eight defensive, one special-teams) and a 36-yard interception return TD in his first CFL start, a 35-17 win over then-unbeaten Montreal on June 27. Veresuk followed up with eight tackles (one for loss) to lead the defence in Hamilton's 51-38 victory over Toronto on July 4. Last week versus Ottawa, veteran Reggie Stubblefield registered a team-high seven tackles (one for loss) in his Ticats debut as Veresuk finished with three. Veresuk admits the last month has been somewhat of a whirlwind but credits Wilborn with helping him through the rough patches. The arrival of Stubblefield -- last week was his first CFL game since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Montreal's '24 opener -- has also provided immediate benefits. 'Ray has probably been my top guy; he's been helping me out,' Veresuk said. 'Any time I make a mistake or tend to beat myself up, he has helped pick me up and helped keep my chin up. 'Reggie brings energy, confidence and communication. He talks a lot pre-snap and that helps me quite a bit.' Predictably, the biggest adjustment Veresuk has faced is the speed of the CFL game. 'It's professional players that I'm going up against, some of the best football players in the world,' he said. 'Also, there's just how finite the differences are between winning and losing games. 'It really does come down to four, five plays and just being on the better side of those plays. If I prepare during the week, on weekends the game slows down a bit.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
CBC
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Mitchell's late TD pass to Lawler rallies Ticats to 23-20 home win over Ottawa Redblacks
Bo Levi Mitchell's three-yard TD pass to Kenny Lawler with 1:54 remaining rallied the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 23-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday night. Mitchell's second scoring strike to Lawler capped a smart 50-yard, six-play drive. But Hamilton (3-2) caught a break when Ottawa's Michael Wakefield was called for roughing the passer on a Mitchell second-down incompletion that kept the march alive. Ottawa (1-5) had one final possession at its 19-yard line with 1:51 remaining, but the Redblacks turned the ball over on downs at their 39-yard line with 1:13 remaining, delighting the Hamilton Stadium gathering of 22,913. Hamilton was able to run out the clock for a third straight win and move into a tie with idle Montreal (3-2) atop the East Division. Ottawa has dropped three straight. Hamilton had a glorious chance to take the lead on Mack Bannatyne's recovery of Kalil Pimpleton's fumble of Nic Constantinou's 57-yard punt at Ottawa's 15-yard line. But the Ticats drove to the Redblacks four-yard line before turning the ball over on downs with 5:12 to play. Ottawa appeared to go ahead 27-13 on Pimpleton's 105-yard punt-return TD at 1:53. But it was negated by an illegal block penalty, the Redblacks' first of the game following an unsuccessful challenge. Hamilton moves into a tie for 1st place in the CFL East Ottawa started at its 15-yard line, and Dru Brown's pass was intercepted by Jamal Peters, his second pick of the game. That gave Hamilton possession at the Redblacks' 43-yard line, setting up Marc Liegghio's 38-yard field goal at 4:23 that pulled the Ticats to within 20-16. Liegghio kicked three field goals and a convert while Nic Constantinou added a single for Hamilton. Keelan White and William Stanback had Ottawa's touchdowns. Lewis Ward booted the converts and two field goals. Stanback ended the third with a 23-yard TD run that put Ottawa ahead 20-13. Ward gave the Redblacks a 13-10 advantage with a 14-yard field goal at 9:46. But Liegghio tied it with a 41-yard kick at 12:54. Mitchell's 44-yard TD strike to Lawler at 2:38 made it 10-10 as Liegghio missed the convert. It followed Ward's 41-yard field goal at 1:08. Brown's 10-yard TD pass to White, the third pick of the '25 CFL draft, in the first quarter staked Ottawa to its 7-4 halftime lead. The seven-play, 70-yard march accounted for almost half of the Redblacks' 142 net offensive yards. Ottawa threatened to go ahead 10-4 but Ward missed from 48 yards out with under three minutes to play. Hamilton mustered 165 net yards, but could only manage a field goal and single. The Ticats also took all seven penalties called in the half for 71 yards as both teams had six total possessions. Brown completed 13-of-19 passes for 137 yards. Mitchell was 13-of-22 passing for 128 yards as Isaiah Wooden Sr.'s 47-yard punt return was the opening half's biggest play. Constantinou's 51-yard punt at 3:16 of the second quarter cut Ottawa's lead to 7-1. Liegghio pulled Hamilton to within 7-4 with a 16-yard field goal at 8:59.
