Turnover-prone Ticats fall

The night began with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers failing to send a holder out for what would have been a 45-yard field goal attempt.

It turned out to be a sign of things to come for both teams.

The Bombers would miss the field goal from 51 yards and then to make matters worse watched, mostly helplessly, as Brandon Banks took the wide right field goal back 120 yards for a major.

The brain cramps, though, were just beginning and the Tiger-Cats would have a few of their own on their way to an 28-24 loss as Hamilton fell to 1-2, while the visiting Bombers improved to the same 1-2 record.

The Bombers did the bulk of their damage in the final two minutes just before halftime, scoring twice to turn an 8-7 Winnipeg lead into a 22-7 advantage.

Hamilton would add a field goal just before the half to make it 2210, but those two touchdowns were game changers.

The first came on Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah’s first interception of two on the night as Maurice Leggett stepped in front of a ball intended for Chad Owens and returned it 50 yards for the major.

On the ensuing kickoff Justin Medlock, who was in black and gold a season ago, got some impressive backspin on his kickoff that landed at the 20 in front of Banks and bounced back toward the line of scrimmage, allowing Macho Harris, who was onside, to recover the kick.

A few plays later Ryan Smith, who didn’t even appear to see the pass, somehow trapped a Drew Willy toss on his right hip and went in for the major.

Hamilton came out strong in the second half but again, miscues kept them from getting all the way back from that halftime deficit.

In the end it was the six turnovers by the Ticats, three fumbles by Masoli, a pair of interceptions and a fumble by Luke Tasker in the first half that wound up to be the Ticats’ ultimate undoing.

Masoli wound up throwing for 367 yards but no amount could make up for the turnovers.

Masoli and the Cats got the ball to the Bombers’ 22-yard line before Masoli coughed up his third fumble of the game to snuff out the Tabbies’ last chance.

Medlock wound up with four field goals on six tries, making for a nice return to his former home in Hamilton.

Banks wound up with 122 yards in returns on kickoffs, but was a minus-8 in the punt return department.