Toronto Argonauts 30 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 5 (July 7, 2007)
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0 commentsMichael Bishop threw three touchdown passes to power the Toronto Argonauts to a lopsided 30-5 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night.
Bishop, making his first CFL start since 2005, quieted the rabid Ivor Wynne Stadium gathering of 28,198 with a stunning 73-yard touchdown pass to Tony Miles just 2:44 into the third that gave Toronto (1-1) a 22-2 lead and cemented the victory.
Bishop wasn't spectacular and made throws he was fortunate weren't intercepted. But he was effective using his mobility to either roll out and buy time for his receivers or take off and get first downs. Bishop was replaced by former NFL pivot Mike McMahon with 8:32 left in the fourth, unofficially completing 17-of-31 passes for 247 yards, while rushing for 27 yards on five carries, numbers likely good enough to earn Bishop another start next week against Calgary at Rogers Centre.
Hamilton (0-2) struggled for the second straight week. The Ticats lost their season opener 37-9 at Calgary and have yet to score a touchdown this season.
Arland Bruce III and Andre Talbot had Toronto's other touchdowns.
Former NFL star Steve Christie, replacing injured kicker Noel Prefontaine, booted three converts, a field goal and single. The other points came on a safety.
Christie made 2-of-4 field goals. He connected from 32 and 10 yards in the second half after coming up short from 40 and 47 yards in the first half - the latter dropping a full six yards short of the goal posts. Christie also lined up for a 48-yard try in the second quarter, but new holder Michael Palmer fumbled the snap.
Christie, a 15-year NFL veteran who was drafted in 1990 by Edmonton, was playing in his first game since 2004.
Nick Setta kicked a field goal for Hamilton. The remaining points came on a safety.
Hamilton might also be looking to make a quarterback change soon.
Veteran Jason Maas started for the second straight week, but never looked comfortable under center, in large part due to Toronto's pressure. When he had time, Maas often wasn't in sync with his receivers, either short-hopping his throws or sailing them high or way out of reach.
Rookie Tim Chang replaced Maas in the second quarter and had fans excited in the third when he marched Hamilton to the Argos' five-yard line. But the Ticats had to settle for Setta's 12-yard field goal at 9:11 to cut Toronto's lead to 22-5.
Toronto rode Bishop's strong right arm to a 15-2 half-time lead.
Bishop hit Bruce with a 20-yard TD strike with 55 seconds left in the first to give Toronto an 8-2 lead. The score was set up by Khalil Hill's interception.
Bishop then hit Talbot on an eight-yard scoring strike at 9:40 of the second, one play after Hamilton was called on a 45-yard pass interference call.
Notes: Hamilton started three Canadians - end Nautyn-McKay Loescher and rookie tackles Jermaine Reid and J.P. Bekasiak - on the defensive line, a rarity in the CFL . . . Hamilton has four ex-Argos on its roster, while Toronto has six former Ticats in its lineup.
courtesy of cfl.ca
Date
July 7, 2007
