EDMONTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats downed the Edmonton Elks 39-23 for their second win in a row in a dominant performance.
Jeremiah Masoli threw for a near-season-best 357 yards in the contest with 287 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.
On the ground, Don Jackson filled in for the depleted Ticats’ backfield and became the first Ticat running back to rush for over 100 yards this season, recording 120 on the night.
In recording a pair of tackles on the night, Simoni Lawrence reached 605 career tackles which saw him surpass Orlondo Steinauer, who had 604, on the CFL’s All-Time Defensive Tackles list.
Taylor Cornelius finished the evening with 251 passing yards while Dakota Prukop added a pair of rushing touchdowns.
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HAMILTON TIGER-CATS’ JAELON ACKLIN (80) AND CHRIS VAN (54) CELEBRATE A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST THE EDMONTON ELKS’ DURING FIRST HALF CFL ACTION IN EDMONTON, ALTA., ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/JASON FRANSON.
After trading possessions through the first quarter, battling each other and the cold weather, the Ticats were the first team to heat up.
Finding success on earlier drives, Masoli and the Ticats offence continued to implement a balanced drive, allowing the vertical game to compliment the ground one. Following an Elks’ single, Jackson gained 12 yards on back-to-back carries which put the Elks on their heels. Masoli would later connect with Brandon Banks for a gain of 28 yards before delivering a strike to Steven Dunbar in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
Eclipsing 100 passing yards in the first quarter, Masoli continued to take down-field shots. After a pass intended for Banks was broken up in the endzone, Masoli heaved a second attempt at it. This time, he connected with Tim White in double coverage who brought down the bobbling ball to extend the Hamilton lead to double digits.
Edmonton brought an end to the Ticats’ 14-0 run with some points of their own in the second quarter with Sean Whyte‘s 34-yard field goal.
After another deep attempt by Masoli to the endzone was broken up by Derrick Moncrief, Taylor Bertolet took to the field. His 43-yard attempt brought Ticats’ lead back to 13 points.
Hamilton continued to pour their passing attack on the Elks with much success. After Jackson was met at the line of scrimmage by the Elk’s defensive line, Masoli tossed his third touchdown of the half to Jaelon Acklin who split a pair of defenders to haul in the 65-yard toss.
On the ensuing Elks possession, tempers flared between Lawrence and James Wilder. A skirmish ensued and resulted in the ejection of Kameron Kelly and Jonathan Rose.
Bertolet capped off a 27-point first half for the Ticats with a 25-yard field goal, extending their lead to 24 points.
Edmonton was able to capitalize off a lengthy drive against Hamilton that resulted in points as they ended a nine-play, 56-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal in the third.
Looking to respond, Maosli found Tyler Ternowski for his first CFL catch, hauling in a 48-yard reception and getting the Ticats into Elks’ territory. On third down, Bertolet missed a field-goal attempt but added a single to the Ticats’ lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Elks were able to get home on Masoli, bringing him down for eight yards but Bertolet tacked on a 47-yard field goal.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Elks found the endzone.
After a roughing the passer flag was thrown on Lawrence, keeping the Elks drive alive, Cornelius completed three passes down to the Ticats’ goal line. Prukop entered the game for the Elks’ short-yardage packaged and plunged through his offensive line for a touchdown. The Elks would go on to add a two-point convert.
Jackson added a 16-yard rushing touchdown for the Ticats late in the fourth quarter on his way to 120 yards.
The Elks found the endzone again with the efforts of Prukop as he recorded his second rushing touchdown on the night. They tacked on another two-point convert, but time would prohibit a comeback.
Next up for the Ticats will be a trip back home to Tim Hortons Field where they welcome the visiting BC Lions on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Elks will look to rebound against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at home on Friday as well at 9:45 p.m. ET.