ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
HAMILTON – It was the final Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium and the Argos and Ticats made sure that the stadium that has hosted this rivalry for decades went out with a bang.
The Argos would strike first on a 40-yard bomb from Ricky Ray to Chad Owens. Owens had three catches on the drive and capped it with the TD grab. An early 7-0 lead for the DoubleBlue.
Then, what seems like the inevitable would happen. Chris Williams would return a Swayze Waters punt 89-yards for a TD. With the play, Williams would break the record for most return TDs in a single CFL season. It was his third return TD against the Argos this season, and it would bring the Ticats to within one.
Ticats special teams would botch the extra point snap and get no kick away. 7-6 Argos after one quarter of play.
| Related: Labour Day Classic |
|---|
|
|
A defensive battle would continue for much of the second quarter as both teams would only muster matching field goals through 7:54 of the frame.
The Ticats would finally break through after a scrambling Henry Burris would find Onrea Jones in the end zone for the score. Hamilton would complete the extra point and take a 16-10 lead.
With 44 seconds left on the clock, Ray would lead the Argos downfield but the Waters field goal attempt would be blocked with no time left on the clock.
After one half of action, Chad Owens already totaled 228 All Purpose Yards. Not enough however, as it sits 16-10 for the Ticats at half time.
The Ticats would come out blazing in the second half as a 50+ yard catch and run would allow Chris Williams to gallop into Argos territory.
Chris Jones’ unit would hold strong and limit the Ticats to just a chip shot field goal, extending the Hamilton lead to 19-10.
On the next possession, the Argos would march all the way down the field only to have their red zone woes continue. Ray would get clipped on the second down play and the Argos would have to settle for the single after a Waters missed field goal. 19-11 Ticats.
Owens would continue to fill the stat sheet eclipsing both 100 yards receiving and 100 yards on kick-off returns through the third quarter. He would finish with 402 all purpose yards (176 receiving, 136 kick return, 90 punt return), an Argos record and third best all-time in the CFL.
Williams would strike once again in the return game, turning a swarm of Argos players inside out and eventually turning nothing into a 63 yard return into Argos territory. The Ticats would walk away with another field goal from Luca Congi pushing their lead to 22-11.
The Argos would have their chance to take some momentum after a Burris fumble on the Ticats 10-yard line, but the defence would fail to fall on the bouncing ball. Pinned in their own end zone, the Ticats would concede the safety, 22-13 Ticats.
After the safety, Ray and Co. would finally put it together. Marching 57-yards downfield, the drive would be highlighted by a big first down grab by Mike Bradwell and capped by a one yard TD leap into the end zone by RB Chad Kackert.
On the next possession, Burris would feel the pressure from Argos defenders causing a poor throw into coverage. CB Ahmad Carroll would intercept the pass in full stride and gallop into the end zone for the pick six. Carroll’s second INT in as many weeks would put the Argos ahead once again, 27-22.
Burris would get sacked on the next series causing a quick two and out. Argos ball once again.
Marching downfield for the second straight time, Waters would connect for the 26-yard field goal extending the Double Blue lead to 30-22.
The Ticats would respond with a drive of their own, quickly striking their way downfield. Coach Cortez would elect to go for the two point conversion and would choose correct.
Burris would find Dave Stala at the back of the end zone. Tie game, 2:20 left in the fourth quarter.
With the two minute drill going, Ray would lead the Argos offence into scoring range. Two big plays by Chad Owens and another cluthc reception by grab by Mike Bradwell would give Waters the chance to take the lead.
Waters would make no mistake nailing the field goal and giving the Argos the three point lead.
26 seconds would be all that remained for the Ticats. A three and out would see the Argos takeover on downs and kneel out the clock for the win.
The Argos head back to Toronto two games up on the Ticats in second place in the Eastern Division.
The final chapter of the Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne goes to the Argos, but the Ticats will have a chance for redemption as they come to the Rogers Centre on September 8th. BUY TICKETS.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Ricky Ray would finish 32/45 for 375 yards and a TD.
Chad Owens finished with 402 all purpose yards. 176 receiving, 136 kick return, 90 punt return. He overtook the former record holder Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, who finished with 401 in the 1992 season opener in Ottawa.
Mike Bradwell had his biggest game of the season with 6 catches for 45 yards.
Spencer Watt added 6 receptions for 61 yards.
In his first game for the Double Blue, Ken-Yon Rambo had 2 catches for 16 yards.
On the ground RB Chad Kackert had 8 carries for 44 yards and a TD. He added 3 receptions for 46 yards in the passing game.
Jordan Younger lead the defence in tackles with 6.
Marcus Ball had his best game as an Argo with 4 tackles and 2 sacks.
Ahmad Carroll had his second INT in two weeks, taking this one for his first CFL TD.
Pat Watkins also added an INT, his third of 2012, to go along with 3 tackles.
Swayze Waters was 3/5 on field goals, none as important as his game winner in the 4th Quarter.