GAME ESSENTIALS | Lions at Tiger-Cats
THE SKINNY
The Lions’ stout defence did everything to keep the Tiger-Cats out of the end zone, even stopping Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros, pictured, on a late-game plunge from the 1-yard line. But they would have needed a very tall ladder to stop kicker Justin Medlock, who kicked five field goals. Combined with a pair of safeties given up by the Lions in an attempt to gain field position, it added up to a 19-17 Tiger-Cats victory, the fourth straight for Hamilton since the opening of Tim Hortons Field on Labour Day. Lions quarterback Kevin Glenn had won nine straight games against the Tiger-Cats before Saturday, but he directed a B.C. offence that moved mostly with glacial pace on a chilly night.
ROOKIE RUSH
Nickelback Josh Johnson returned his second interception of the season 38 yards for a touchdown just before the end of the first quarter to put B.C. in front 10-0. The rookie from Purdue has 91 total return yards following his two picks. ... It was a rough initiation for two Lions running backs, Keola Antolin, pictured, and Bradley Randle, making their CFL debuts. Antolin rushed nine times for 23 yards (2.6-yard average). He was more successful as a receiver, with six catches for 39 yards. Randle had five touches as a returner for a total of 44 yards. Andrew Harris (dislocated ankle), Stefan Logan (thigh contusion) and Tim Brown (groin) didn’t make the journey to Hamilton.
QUOTE MACHINE
Linebacker Adam Bighill on the struggles of the Lions’ offence: “We need to be there for the offence. We can’t point fingers or blame anybody. We can’t separate our team into factions. We have to believe and stick together. It’s the only way.” Quarterback Kevin Glenn, pictured, on missing key offensive and special teams weapons Andrew Harris, Courtney Taylor, Stefan Logan: “We can’t forfeit the season because guys get hurt. They (replacements) have to step up and play. We believe in each other, and we’re going to keep fighting.” Head coach Mike Benevides: “It’s frustrating, disappointing. (But) they played their asses off to the very end. They gave everything they had. I truly believe, what we’re going through, is going to pay dividends in the end.”
NEW IVOR WIND
Despite his perfect five-for-five field-goal night, Tiger-Cats kicker Justin Medlock, pictured, told The Canadian Press he is still coming to grips with the different field configuration of Tim Hortons Field. Hamilton’s replacement for ancient Ivor Wynne Stadium is laid out in a north-south direction. The field at Ivor Wynne ran east-west. Consequently, a kicker must be aware of differing wind currents. “It’s a tricky stadium,” Medlock said. “It’s like kicking in an airport. You’re going into a really hard wind, and then going downwind. It’s pretty hard.” With the stadium still an active construction site during the work week, the official grand opening of Tim Hortons Field is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17 in The Hammer.