Dan Plaster
The Riders chances of making the CFL playoffs were down to a one in a million chance. They had to win their final four games of the season and needed a myriad of other things to happen to get to the post season.
First thing was to pick up a win in Hamilton.
The game started slow with the TiCats leading after the first quarter 3-0. That all shifted after a Hamilton blocked punt deep in Rider territory that ended up in a Luke Tasker touchdown catch to extend the lead to 10-0.
Hamilton tacked on another touchdown and field goal before the half was over and they had the commanding 20-0 lead heading into the locker room.
Brett Smith started at quarterback for the Riders to begin the second half and on his second drive hit a wide open Weston Dressler for the 79 yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-7.
Hamilton replied immediately after that with a long score of their own. Rookie quarterback Jeff Matthews hit Terrell Sinkfield for an 87 yard touchdown to extend the lead to 27-7.
Hamilton added a field goal to extend the lead to 30-7 when Brett Smith hit Ryan Smith on a 68 yard touchdown and then also connected on the 2-pointer to cut things to 30-15. That touchdown also finished the scoring.
The loss officially eliminates the Riders from the playoff race as they hit their second bye week of the season. Next action is Saturday, October 24th when the Eskimos hit the Mosaic Stadium turf. The final home game of the 2015 season will kickoff at 5:00pm.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Saskatchewan Roughriders 0 0 7 8 15
Hamilton Tiger Cats 3 17 7 3 30
Rider leaders:
Passing
Brett Smith 11/19 243 2TD 1INT
Rushing
Brett Smith 4/38
Receiving
Weston Dressler 5/104 1TD
Defence
John Chick 3-Tackles 2-Sacks
