Dan Plaster
A beautiful sunny day at Mosaic Stadium greeted a pair of teams in must win situations with the winless Riders welcoming a Ticat club with a win in their first three starts.
The Riders kicked off the scoring with a Paul McCallum field goal, but Hamilton replied on the ensuing drive when Zach Colleros hit a wide open Jasper Collins Jr. on a 43 yard strike for the 7-3 lead.
The Riders and Ticats flip flopped early 2nd quarter field goals to keep it at the four point edge when Justin Medlock missed one from 40 yards to stretch the lead to 11-6.
After a Medlock field goal made it 14-6 for Hamilton, the Riders went on a late eight play, 75 yard drive that was capped with a 20 yard pitch and catch from Kevin Glenn to Rob Bagg. Bagg then caught the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14 heading into the locker room.
The Riders opened the second half with a long touchdown drive finished with a one-yard plunge by Brett Smith to give the the Green and White their first lead of the game.
After a Medlock field goal cut the lead to 21-17, Kevin Glenn was picked by Rico Murray and he took it to the Rider four yard line. The defence stood tall and after a rough play penalty pushed Hamilton back 15 yards, they had to settle for another Medlock field goal to make it just a one-point lead.
The Riders were dealt a huge blow when Kevin Glenn was taken out of the game because of injury that he suffered when tackling Rico Murray on his interception. Brett Smith had to go in early in the fourth quarter. He was held to a two-and-out on his first drive.
Hamilton took the ball and drove right down the field and scored when Jeff Matthews plunged in from two-yards out and add a successful two-point conversion, the Riders trailed 28-21.
Justin Medlock hit another field goal and Hamilton dealt the Riders their fifth straight loss to begin the season with the 31-21 victory.
Next up for the Riders, a road trip to Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton to face their West rivals, the Eskimos. It’s a 7pm kickoff on Friday night.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th final
Hamilton Tiger Cats 7 7 3 14 31
Saskatchewan Roughriders 3 11 7 0 21
Leaders
Passing:
Kevin Glenn 22/33 255YDS 1TD 1INT
Rushing:
Anthony Allen 5/37
Receiving:
Weston Dressler 6/74
Defence:
Jeff Knox Jr. 7 Defensive Tackles/1 Special Teams Tackle
