SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 21, 2013
Tiger-Cats 28, Alouettes 26: Wide receiver Andy Fantuz completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to defensive back Marc Beswick on a fake field goal as Hamilton used special teams to overcome Montreal’s stifling defence at the 2013 Touchdown Atlantic in Moncton, N.B.
Quarterback Henry Burris was limited to 176 yards on 15-for-27 passing and backup Dan LeFevour ran for a 1-yard touchdown for the Tiger-Cats (6-6), who improved to 4-1 against East Division opponents. LeFevour finished with 61 yards on eight carries, while defensive end Louis Richardson recovered a muffed punt to set up LeFevour’s touchdown.
Quarterback Josh Neiswander was 26-for-35 passing for 294 yards and two touchdowns for Montreal (4-8), which lost its third straight game. Backup quarterback Troy Smith ran for a touchdown in his first career CFL contest and linebacker Chip Cox led the defense with seven tackles, one interception and two of the team’s five sacks.
The Tiger-Cats trailed 19-13 after three quarters, but Alouettes kick returner Tyron Carrier muffed a punt 2:35 into the fourth - giving Hamilton a first down with just 13 yards to go. LeFevour scored two plays later and a pair of field goals by Tiger-Cats kicker Brett Lauther put the game out of reach.
Neiswander found slotback S.J. Green for 33 yards to give Montreal a 7-3 lead with 1:24 to play in the first quarter, but a 60-yard kickoff return by Kendial Lawrence led to Fantuz’s surprise throw to Beswick to regain Hamilton’s advantage on the first play of the second quarter. Neiswander also found wide receiver Duron Carter for a 27-yard touchdown with 28 seconds left in the game, but wide receiver Onrea Jones recovered the ensuing onside kick for the Tiger-Cats.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Smith, 29, played briefly in the NFL after winning the 2006 Heisman Trophy with Ohio State. He will be coach Jim Popp’s second option after Neiswander while Tanner Marsh is injured. … Lauther was 4-for-4 on field goal attempts - including one from 40 yards - in his first career game. … Cox leads the league with 85 tackles and has six sacks. … Carter led all receivers with nine catches for 112 yards.