Elks down Tiger-Cats 29-25 for first win of CFL season
HAMILTON — Tre Ford was in his glad place Friday in Hamilton.
The Edmonton Elks quarterback bought a win in his first profession CFL begin half-hour down the Queen Elizabeth Freeway from his hometown of Niagara Falls, Ont.
The Elks got here from behind to beat the Tiger-Cats 29-25 in entrance of 20,233 at Tim Hortons Subject.
“To return again to Hamilton and have all my household watching me get that first begin and that first win has been incredible,” Ford mentioned.
Amongst Ford’s supporters had been his spouse, mother and father, sister, sister-in-law and mother-in-law, his highschool soccer coach from A.N. Myer Secondary, his College of Waterloo head coach Chris Bertoia, eight of his former college teammates and extra mates.
Ford was shaky at instances because the Elks trailed by 13 factors early within the second half.
However the 2021 winner of the Hec Crighton Trophy winner that goes to essentially the most excellent Canadian college soccer participant threw a game-tying landing cross to Kenny Lawler early within the fourth quarter.
The successful play for the Elks (1-3) arrived with 1:38 remaining when defensive again Scott Hutter tackled Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans and knocked the ball free.
Jalen Collins recovered for a 14-yard landing.
“I noticed him deal with him and thought, ‘please punch the ball out,” Collins mentioned. “All we wanted was a possibility to shut the sport out. We had been preventing all evening. It was ugly.”
The winless Tiger-Cats opened a season with 4 straight losses for the primary time since 2017 after they began 0-8.
“I wish to apologize to all the blokes. I put each house losses on me,” Evans mentioned. “I simply need to care for it, and we win the sport.”
Evans was 20-for-31 in passing for 197 yards and a landing throw. He was intercepted twice.
Ford’s numbers did not sparkle, though he did rush for 61 yards on six carries. The 24-year-old competed 15 of 26 passes for 159 yards and a landing. He was intercepted as soon as.
Edmonton’s defence helped out with interceptions by Sheldon Brady and Matthew Thomas, in addition to the pivotal late-game recovered fumble by Collins.
“An enormous shout out to the defence,” Ford mentioned. “They gained us that recreation. They made what, three or 4 turnovers? They did tremendous nicely.
“I’ve room for enchancment. I’m not going to complain as a result of we did win. However I’m going to hit the movie room to see what I can critique and the place I can get higher.”
Hamilton went after the rookie with numerous blitzes within the first half.
“My legs are going to open issues up for my arm,” Ford mentioned.
Ford credited teammate and quarterback Nick Arbuckle, who began in Edmonton’s three losses this season, for advising him in the course of the recreation on defensive reads.
“He’s been like that since day one, despite the fact that we’re opponents for the place,” Ford mentioned.
He admitted to early jitters as Hamilton led 16-6 after the primary quarter and 19-9 at halftime.
“I at all times get nervous for the primary play of each recreation,” Ford mentioned. “I believe it’s a very good factor as a result of it means I care and that I wish to win.”
Evans hit Steven Dunbar for a 21-yard strike, and Lawrence Woods returned a kickoff of 72 yards for Hamilton’s first-half touchdowns.
Edmonton’s Kai Locksley scored on a one-yard plunge.
Elks kicker Sergio Castillo made two of his three field-goal makes an attempt, whereas Hamilton counterpart Michael Domagala nailed his three and gave the Ticats at lead with a 33-yarder with 3:10 remaining within the recreation
“We’re not ok proper now,” Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer mentioned. “We’re not executing on the stage which must occur. We’re simply not making these performs we have to make.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed July 1, 2022.
Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
