Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 British Columbia Lions 22 (July 19, 2007)
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0 commentsQuarterback Jarious Jackson plunged one yard for the go-ahead touchdown Thursday as the British Columbia Lions remained the CFL's only undefeated team with a costly 22-18 victory over the stubborn Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Lions were down to their last quarterback when Jackson and B.C. took advantage of a 32-yard pass interference penalty in the end zone to complete a 50-yard drive. Jackson, in for Buck Pierce who started for the injured Dave Dickenson, threw for Paris Jackson who drew the interference call when bracketed by Richard Karikari and Sandy Beveridge.
The Ticats, who were flagged for more than 100 yards in penalties for the fourth straight game, then allowed Cory Rodgers to haul in Jackson's pass for a two-point convert.
The B.C. backfield suffered another blow when running back Joe Smith, who rushed 16 times for 106 yards, was wheeled off the field on a stretcher with 1:04 remaining.
Hamilton made it close with 21 seconds remaining when quarterback Jason Maas's nine-yard pass found Jo Jo Walker in the end zone but the two-point convert and an onside kick failed.
Tony Simmons caught a TD pass from Pierce on the Lions' first drive.
Paul McCallum completed a 13-point fourth quarter and added insurance with a 14-yard field goal while the Lions had five points on two safeties and a convert.
Nick Setta kicked four field goals, the longest from 42 yards, for Hamilton who couldn't take advantage of Jesse Lumsden's running for 158 yards.
He became the first back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Lions since October 16, 2005.
The Lions improved to 4-0 to move four points ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders atop the West Division. Saskatchewan plays the Eskimos in Edmonton on Friday.
The Ticats, who have been plagued by penalties and a porous secondary, matched their 0-4 start of last season.
The Lions' sputtering offence entered the game last in pass attempts, completions, first downs and total yards but have been winning because of turnovers created by a ball-hawking defence.
Pierce was called on to start for Dickenson who is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome after being hit by defensive lineman Fred Perry last week in Regina.
Hamilton took a 12-9 lead into the fourth quarter but the gap narrowed to a single point when Setta conceded his second safety as the game became one of field possession.
The Lions missed a chance to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter but Pierce was intercepted at the Hamilton 10-yard line by Agustin Barrenechea.
Pierce, who was hit hard earlier in the game by Nautyn McKay-Loescher, left for the second time in favour of Jackson.
The Lions looked like their early-season offensive troubles were over when they scored on their four-play opening possession but could only manage a 9-6 edge at the half.
Pierce found Jason Clermont for 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage, ran for a first down and the penalty-prone Ticats were flagged for roughing.
That set up the 21-yard TD strike to Simmons who beat defensive back Montavis Pitts for the ball.
But that was it for the Lions in the first half as they started drives deep in their own territory instead of near midfield when they defeated Saskatchewan 42-12 last week.
NOTES: It was the second time in two years that Dickenson missed a start against Hamilton because of post-concussion syndrome ... all-star linebacker Otis Floyd was also out of the B.C. lineup with an abdominal strain ... McKay-Loescher faced his former teammates after registering six sacks in 18 games last year for the Lions.
courtesy cfl.ca
Date
July 19, 2007
