They say the game isn’t over until the clock runs out – and the Redblacks sure showed us just how true that is during their most recent game with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 30 2024 – when Lewis Ward scored a game-winning field goal moments before the final whistle.
The CFL finished their 4th week of the season with the Tiger-Cats and Redblacks coming down to the wire during their June 30 game. The Tiger-Cats started strong, forcing Devonte Dedmon (Redblacks) to fumble the opening kickoff – however the Redblacks soon recovered and the offense would start on the Redblacks 30-yard line.
By the 3rd play, Bo Levi Mitchell (Tiger-Cats) threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tim White; his first receiving touchdown of the season. Marc Liegghio (Tiger-Cats) converted the extra point for the Tiger-Cats, giving them a 7-0 lead.
Down 7, Dru Brown (Redblacks) wasted no time, moving the Redblacks down the field during 6 plays, including a 25-yard catch-and-run by Ryquell Armstead, getting down to the Tiger-Cats 1-yard line. Dustin Crum ended the play with a Quarterback Sneak and touchdown. Ward missed the extra point and the Tiger-Cats remained in the lead, 7-6. The Redblacks added a 34-yard field goal, ending the 1st quarter leading 9-7.
The Tiger-Cats and Redblacks traded a pair of field goals during the 2nd quarter, Liegghio hitting from 38-yards and Ward hitting from 36-yards. The Redblacks entered halftime leading 12-10.
In the 3rd quarter, Mitchell led the Tiger-Cats down to the Redblacks 21-yard line after a 7-yard sack by Lorenzo Mauldin IV (Redblacks) on 2nd down. Liegghio knocked a 36-yard field goal, ending the quarter leading 13-12.
Early in the 4th quarter, the Tiger-Cats extended their lead with a 28-yard field goal by Liegghio. During the Redblacks next drive, Brown hit Jealon Acklin for a 28-yard reception, landing the Redblacks at the Tiger-Cats 42-yard line. 2 plays later, on the 2nd and 11th, Brown found Armstead for an 8-yard reception. The Redblacks settled for a 42-yard field goal, cutting the Tiger-Cats lead to 1.
With 3 minutes, 16 seconds left on the clock, and a 30-yard punt return by Dedmon brings them to the Tiger-Cats 54-yard line, the offensive team kicks into gear. Armstead manages a 14-yard run followed by a 27-yard run and brings the Redblacks to the Tiger-Cats 15-yard line. 2 plays later, Brown finds Justin Hardy wide open in the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown pass – going for 2 and failing as Dominique Rhymes couldn’t hold onto the pass by Brown. The Redblacks remain focused, leading 21-16 with 2 minutes and 3 seconds left.
On the next drive, the Tiger-Cats attempt to regain the lead; Mitchell completes 3 straight passes and brings the Tiger-Cats to the Redblacks 43-yard line. The Tiger-Cats kept up momentum, bringing themselves down to the Redblacks 10-yard line off a 22-yard reception by Steven Dunbar. In 2 plays, Mitchel found Shemar Bridges and scored a 4-yard touchdown. The Tiger-Cats go for 2 and fail to convert but lead 22-21 with 28 seconds left.
The Tiger-Cats squib kicks to Tobias Harris (Redblacks) who returns it from 27-yards to the Tiger-Cats 52-yard line. In 3 plays, The Redblacks are at the Tiger-Cats 39-yard line, Ward kicking the game-winning field goal from 46-yards as the clock runs out.
The Redblacks win 24-22 and the Tiger-Cats are dropped to 0-4 on the season.
Thoughts On the Game
After a lack-luster showing against the Montreal Alouettes in week 3 where they gave up 3 sacks, there were questions surrounding how the unit would fare against one of the better pass-rushing defensive units in the league – the Redblacks offensive line was able to bounce back, giving up 0 sacks while also giving Armstead the ability to rush for 51 yards on 10 carries; an average of 5.1 yards/carry.
Tommy Condell continues to call a pass-heavy game; offense running 39 passing calls and 16 running plays. Armstead currently has 172 yards on 32 carries; an average of 5.4 yards/carry and has shown the ability to be a game changer over the 1st 3 games of the regular season. The Redblacks will need to utilize the running game more – having Brown throwing the ball 35 times or more does not give them the best opportunity to win every week.
Frankie Griffin was the most impactful defender on Sunday, registering a game-high of 11 tackles (including 2 for a loss). Griffin was all over the field; and when asked about the defensive effort post-game stated, “Secondary was making plays on the ball, Linebackers were eating up front because our D Line was eating up front.”
Dedmon continues to be a game changer on special teams, even after the unfortunate fumble during opening kickoff. He finished the game with 99 Punt Return yards and 63 Kickoff return yards. His ability to flip the field and give the offense better field position does not unappreciated or unnoticed, with Brown specifically praising him when asked about his ability in Special Teams; “He’s special, you know, we start in great field position. I’m happy he’s on our team.”
Highlights
The Redblacks end their 10-game losing streak against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and get their first regular season win since October 27th, 2018.
They won their first two home games of a season for the first time in franchise history.
They are above .500 through the first 4 weeks of the season for the first time in 2019.