(Toronto) Dane Evans scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the Hamilton Tiger-Cats behind to defeat the Toronto Argonauts 27-19 in the Eastern final on Sunday.
Evans’ one-yard run at 12:12, followed by Michael Domagala’s conversion, widened the lead to 27-16 in favor of the visitors. Evans had previously given his team a lead for the first time in the game, 18-13, following another one-yard run at 3:35. That play was followed by a successful two-point conversion. by Don Jackson.
It was an impressive comeback for the Ti-Cats, who wiped out a 12-0 halftime deficit due in part to their early attack setbacks.
The Argos then reached the 11-line in enemy territory, setting the stage for an 18-yard field goal from Boris Bede – his sixth of the game – who narrowed the lead to eight points with 70 seconds left in the game. Jaelon Acklin, however, recovered the short kick from the Argos and put an end to their threat.
Evans came into the game early in the second quarter, after quarterback Jeremiah Masoli fumbled on a promising possession from the Tiger-Cats. Evans ended the game with 16 assists for as many opportunities, 249 yards and a touchdown, while Masoli finished his workday 4-for-16 for 22 yards.
PHOTO JOHN E. SOKOLOWSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS
Quarterback Dane Evans ended the game with 16 assists in as many chances, 249 yards and a touchdown.
The Ti-Cats will therefore have home court advantage next Sunday in the Gray Cup game at Tim Hortons Field. They will play in the CFL Championship game for the second straight year, after losing 33-12 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019.
The Gray Cup game was canceled in 2020.
Roughriders 17 – Blue Bombers 21
Andrew Harris had 136 yards and a touchdown and the Blue Bombers overcame six turnovers to win 21-17 over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Section final.
The Blue Bombers will therefore have the opportunity to defend their CFL title by competing once again against the Tiger-Cats. The Winnipeg troops ended a 28-year long scarcity without the Gray Cup in 2019.
Harris, who was in his first game since Oct. 15 after sustaining a knee injury, carried the ball 23 times and covered three yards for a touchdown.
The Blue Bombers finished first in the West with an 11-3 record and secured a direct pass to the final. The Roughriders were on their way by virtue of a 33-30 victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the semifinals.
Receiver Rasheed Bailey and backup quarterback Sean McGuire added a major for the Blue Bombers. Sergio Castillo hasn’t missed any of his three converts by one point.
William Powell took the lone yard to the end zone and Duke Williams hit a 67 yard touchdown for the Roughriders. Brett Lauther sent the ball between the posts for 16 yards, but missed a field goal of 36 yards.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, nominated for MVP, completed 17 of his 21 passes for gains of 229 yards. He threw a touchdown pass and three interceptions.
Cody Fajardo saw 19 of his 27 aerial attempts caught for gains of 265 yards. He threw a touchdown pass.
The score was tied 7-7 in the first quarter, but the Roughriders returned to the locker room with a 10-7 lead at halftime. The Saskatchewan team led 17-14 after the third quarter.
Five of the Blue Bombers’ first six offensive series in the first half ended in a turnaround, including three interceptions and two fumbles. The sixth turnaround came in the third quarter.