Resurgent Ticats wish they still had a shot

MONTREAL— Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli feels the Tiger-Cats are playing their best football of the year and could have challenged for the Grey Cup if not for a lousy start to the season.

The Tiger-Cats made easy work of the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday afternoon, winning 43-16 in a game where both teams were already eliminated from playoff contention.

Hamilton improved to 5-3 under coach June Jones since starting the season 0-8.

“We still have a lot of potential,” said Masoli. “We’re a really good football team right now. I know we’re not in the playoffs, but if we were in, we really believe that we (would have) had a chance of taking that championship.

“That’s our fault though. We didn’t win enough games to get in. And that’s it.”

Masoli, making his eighth consecutive start for the Tiger-Cats, threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns — one to Mike Jones and another to Brandon Banks. Masoli has now thrown for more than 300 yards in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Banks also scored a touchdown on a punt return, his first of the season, and Alex Green added a rushing TD for the Tiger-Cats (5-11). Kicker Kenny Allen converted five field goals.

“I was hoping we could get a win like this to get some confidence, to start getting that real belief that you can beat anybody,” said coach Jones. “I saw it today a little bit. Jeremiah stepped up and made some big throws when we needed him.”

Montreal (3-13) extended its losing streak to nine games in its final home game of the season. It is the longest single-season losing streak for the Alouettes since 1981.

Darian Durant connected with Ernest Jackson in the end zone in the first quarter and Tyrell Sutton had a rushing touchdown late in the fourth.

The Alouettes are 0-5 since general manager Kavis Reed replaced Jacques Chapdelaine as head coach.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t give our fans a home win in our last game,” said Reed.

“It’s been a very difficult season and we’re proud of the fans that supported us, but we’re apologetic for not providing them with a better football game.”

Durant went 8 for 14 for 92 passing yards and an interception in the first half. Matthew Shiltz replaced Durant for the second half and was15 for 22 for 189 yards and an interception.

After Allen kicked an early field goal for the visitors, Durant got the Als on the board with a 15-yard touchdown toss to Jackson, the receiver’s sixth of the season, at 9:15 of the first quarter.

Hamilton then scored 40 unanswered points, starting with back-toback field goals from Allen, including his season long from 48 yards out.