On The Road With The Cats: July 31 @ Montreal

On The Road With The Cats: July 31 @ Montreal

First Quarter

7:00 Another Thursday night on the road for the Ti-Cats. Tonight Casey Printers is out with an injury to his throwing hand he suffered last week against Edmonton. Richie Williams will get the start in his place. Regardless of who is behind center the Ti-Cats need to run the ball consistently. Jesse Lumsden must get at least twenty touches for the Cats to be competitive in Montreal tonight.

7:04 Nice tribute by TSN to their former colleague and Ti-Cats receiver Leif Petterson who passed away late last night.

7:06 On to the game, this is a very important East Division matchup tonight, thanks to the West beating up on the East Hamilton (1-4) and Montreal (2-3) sit below .500 and each have three game losing streaks. With two games before the East bye week, this game is critical for both teams.

7:10 Williams completes his first two passes, a short drop off to Perchae Rodriguez then a 31-yard pass to Scott Mitchell. He looks great early. Time to establish that running game.

7:11 Setta nails a 42-yard field goal to give the Ti-Cats an early 3-0 lead. That’s huge for this Hamilton club that has been slow starting all season. As our TSN announcers mentioned they’ve been outscored 33-6 in the first quarter so far this season. Now we’ll see if the Cats defense can replicate their performance from last week. If Anthony Cavillo is shown a zone defense from Hamilton again the Cats offense will need touchdowns not field goals.

Hamilton 3 Montreal 0

7:17 Ti-Cats make a stand at mid-field and stop the Als on a 2nd and 2. Tre Smith returns the ensuing Damon Duval punt to the Cats 23. This may be a repeating theme for this game, but time for Hamilton to establish the run.

7:19 Cats play too cute, with a fake to Lumsden and Williams gets nailed behind the line. Can’t fake the run if you haven’t established it. TSN’s Glen Suitor takes the words right out of my mouth. Nice two and out from the Montreal defense.

7:21 Backed to their goal line, Nicholas Setta lets the ball go out of the endzone for a safety.

Hamilton 3 Montreal 2

7:25 Montreal is making a living on short throws. Cavillo has dumped off four straight times on first down to get the Als in very manageable second down situations.
7:27 After Zeke Moreno forces an incompletion on first down the Als fail to convert on 2nd and 10 and are forced to attempt a 50-yard field goal.

7:28 Ball appears to hook outside the goalpost, but according to our officials it’s good. I’m sure like anything useful in the CFL its un-reviewable, regardless Duval nailed that ball to give Montreal the lead.

Montreal 5 Hamilton 3

7:30 Lumsden busts out a run for 14 yards. He just flat out beat Montreal’s D to the corner there. That’s how you establish the run.

7:32 Lumsden running out of the backfield opens a lane for Richie Williams who runs 12- yards for the first down at midfield.

7:33 Double tipped ball gets intercepted by Montreal’s Diamond Ferri, returned to the Hamilton 45. Really tough break for Williams and co. But at least the offense seems to be here tonight.

7:35 Calvillo continues to nickel and dime the Cats’ zone defense to death. First down inside the Hamilton ten.

7:36 Ti-Cats defense makes a big stand inside the ten, highlighted by a huge Moreno hit on a scrambling Calvillo. Duval puts in yet another field goal. Great stop by Hamilton.

Montreal 8 Hamilton 3.

7:37 That’s the end of the quarter with a Lumsden rush for two yards. All things considered Cats must be pleased at this point, have to limit those turnovers though.

End of 1st Quarter.

7:43 Calvillo’s starting to click with his receivers, and they’re getting big yards after the catch. Unacceptable defense by Hamilton.

7:45 With a three man rush, Kerry Watkins still manages to get wide open in the endzone, touchdown Montreal. Terrible coverage. There is no point in a zone defense if people can’t or won’t cover their respective areas.

Montreal 15 Hamilton 3

7:48 Calvillo’s 30-yard touchdown pass is his 300th in his CFL career. Amazing how Calvillo an ex-TiCat always seems to reach milestones against his old club. Good on him though, he’s a great example of a QB who has done it the right way.

7:50 Richie Williams gets intercepted again. I’d love to hear what all of the Ti-Cats fans at Ivor Wynne last week begging for Williams are thinking now. Quarterback is a very difficult position if your line doesn’t give you time. Doesn’t matter if you’re Tom Brady, Casey Printers or a columnist for SportsTalkBuzz.

7:53 Kerry Watkins, of hand gesturing in the endzone five minutes ago, drops two straight balls, the second picked off by Hamilton’s Sean Manning. The interception is Manning’s first in the CFL. Another great stop by this defense, if only the offense would start clicking…

7:56 Williams makes a critical mistake there, needing an additional yard to get the first down, he does the good ole QB slide. Head first there; if Jason Maas can do it I’m sure he can.

8:00 Zeke Moreno appears to strip Montreal’s Avon Cobourne just as he is going down on the play. Hamilton’s Ray Mariuz recovers and the officials after conferring decide it was a fumble. And predictably Montreal’s coach Marc Trestman throws the challenge flag.

8:01 I don’t think there is enough evidence to overturn that call. And the officials concur, Hamilton’s offense will take the ball at the Montreal 47.

8:03 Jo Jo Walker makes a huge catch in traffic and then gets obliterated in the middle of the field. Huge first down for Hamilton and full credit to Walker for holding on there.

8:05 Williams shows great pocket presence and scrambles for another Hamilton first down at the Montreal 16. Ti-Cats need to get six points here. Now Lumsden is getting up slow on the play, that’s pretty close to worse case scenario for Hamilton. He appears to have rolled his ankle. If you listen closely you can actually hear a collective sigh or other four-letter word emanating from Hamilton right now.

8:08 I take my previous comment back, Williams takes the hit inside the Montreal ten to get the first down for Hamilton. Good on him.

8:09 Tre Smith takes it in from the five, touchdown Hamilton. That is their league leading 12th rushing TD. The Auburn product gets the job done against Montreal, again.

Montreal 15 Hamilton 10

8:13 Terrence Patrick bats down Calvillo’s first down pass to force yet another critical 2nd and long situations. Pass interference call on Lawrence Gordon nullifies the Cats two and out. Still like the aggressiveness from Hamilton’s secondary in this game.

8:18 Hamilton’s defense forces another turnover, causing Brian Bratton to fumble at the Montreal 47-yard line. Defensive effort has been outstanding, time for the offense to make the Als pay.
8:21 Facing a 3rd and 1, Williams goes straight ahead for a gain of four to the Montreal 36.

8:23 Williams is sacked back at the 39 on second down forcing a field goal situation. Setta misses the 46-yard try, but picks up the single.

Montreal 15 Hamilton 11

8:26 Cats get pressure on Calvillo and force a two and out. Defense has been more than carrying their weight once again.

8:27 Unnecessary block in the back ruins a 34-yard return by Tre Smith.

8:30 That’s the half, some big turnovers by the Hamilton defense and good offensive execution have kept them in the game. All things considered Cats are fortunate to be within striking distance at the half.

End of 1st Half

8:44 Charlie Taaffe is right on in his pre-second half interview, this game is out here to be won.

8:45 Definitely not the way to go out there and get the win, Calvillo hits XXX Richardson for an 81-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the half.

Montreal 22 Hamilton 11

8:49 Hamilton flirts with disaster, a safety in their own endzone, and after they salvage a two and out a botched punt snap leads to terrific field position for Montreal. Someone on this Hamilton team has to answer the call or this game and season is going to get ugly.

In a series of just four plays this game has been flipped upside down for Hamilton.

8:53 Calvillo just misses another TD to Kerry Watkins, and Hamilton is fortunate to get the stop. Damon Duval preps to attempt another long field goal from 51-yards, which would tie a career best. And he nails it, no problem.

Montreal 25 Hamilton 11

8:57 The former Auburn basketball star, Rodriguez gets it done again, Richie Williams airs it out 46 yards and Prechae easily wins the jump ball. He’s been outstanding particularly with Williams. Instant and much needed momentum for Hamilton.

8:59 Two rushing plays later Williams takes it in from the seven yard line for the major. His first CFL touchdown. Four plays 75-yards later and the Ti-Cats are back in the game, just like that. That’s incredible quick strike ability.

Montreal 25 Hamilton 18

9:03 Another great stand by the Hamilton defense, they force a two and out aided by a first down sack by Cornelius Anthony.

9:05 Ti-Cats offense needs to keep the momentum going here, at least pick up a few first downs and play the field position game.

9:07 Instead the offense stalls immediately, and the Ti-Cats, forced to kick from their own endzone, give up another safety.

Montreal 27 Hamilton 18

9:13 Ben Cahoon gets a five-yard cushion (really?) and makes the Ti-Cats pay converting for a first down. Is there a worse player in the CFL to give a cushion to?

9:17 Two consecutive 3rd and one conversions for Montreal, pretty back breaking for the defense.

9:18 The Ti-Cats defense finally gets the Als’ offense of the field, but Duval adds another field goal from 28-yards out.

Montreal 30 Hamilton 18

End of the Third Quarter

9:24 Ti-Cats down by 12, have got to make some plays in this quarter to get back in the game. The only thing going for them is the fact Montreal has choked some late leads away in the last couple of games. If Hamilton can put some points on the board some doubt may start creeping in for Montreal.

9:26 Some very evident frustration on Jo Jo Walker’s face as he and a Montreal DB jaw back and forth after yet another two and out from Hamilton.

Nicholas Setta barely stops the Alouettes from returning his punt to the house. All three aspects of this club clearly need work; special teams, offense and defense. The offensive line play has been nothing short of atrocious and the coverage on special teams has been only marginally better.

9:30 Nail in the coffin is coming… Montreal is driving at the Hamilton 16.

9:32 Avon Cobourne runs it in from the four, that’s your ball game folks.
Montreal 37 Hamilton 18

9:39 With an impressive drive going Williams (3 for 3, 32 yards on the drive) looks to the endzone for Chris Bauman and draws the pass interference penalty setting the Ti-Cats up at the one yard line.

9:40 Williams sticks it in the endzone for a quick answer from Hamilton. Great looking drive by Richie and the offense. They are going for the two-point conversion.

9:41Williams finds Bauman with a perfect pass to the back corner of the endzone. The Cats first completed pass of the year into the endzone. Maybe I spoke too soon.

Montreal 37 Hamilton 26

9:45 Great stop by the defense, on second down the Cats wrap up the elusive Cahoon, a yard and a half short, and force a punt.

9:46 With four and half minutes left the Ti-Cats offense has to score and quickly.

9:48 The last play before the three minute warning is the fifth sack of the night for the Als’ defense. When the line has given Williams time this offense has looked good, they just need to be more consistent. Easier said then done, but that’s what practice is for.

9:53 Think the Ti-Cats defense has been on the field a lot tonight, Avon Cobourne on consecutive plays just torches the defense. 12 rushes for 95 yards at this point.

9:55 Damon Duval puts his fifth field goal of the night through the uprights.

Montreal 40 Hamilton 26

9:57 Richie Williams finds Scott Mitchell 47 yards down field, I swear this club has some pieces of a really strong football club here. Just need to put it together.

9:59 Pat Woodcock makes an acrobatic grab at the two yard line with 13 seconds left.

10:00 Wow, well Tre Smith fumbles as he tries to reach for the endzone and the Ti-Cats right guard Marko Cavka gets credit for the touchdown. Only Hamilton would score a TD like that.

Montreal 40 Hamilton 33

10:01 Need a miracle now….

10:02 Anwar Stewart, out of Kentucky recovers the onside kick, which closes the book on this game.

Final Montreal 40 Hamilton 33

Final Thoughts

Gutsy effort by the Ti-Cats in this game. A couple of big plays on coverage mistakes erased and this game could very well have gone the other well. The Ti-Cats are now 1-5, just like last season. But really they are only two games out of first place. The X-rays on Jesse Lumsden’s ankle tonight or tomorrow will be a huge factor in how this season plays out for Hamilton. Cross your fingers Ti-Cats fans.

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