TICATS 35 ARGOS 27

TORONTO – Zach Collaros threw two touchdown passes as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats earned a hard-fought 35-27 decision over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night for their first series sweep since 2010.

Hamilton (8-3) won all three meetings with Toronto, including a 42-12 decision Monday at Tim Hortons Field. The Ticats claimed the series opener 34-18 at Rogers Centre in August.

Toronto (6-5) suffered its first home loss in six games and third straight defeat overall to fall four points behind front-running Hamilton in the East Division. But after being decidedly outplayed in the first two meetings, the Argos were definitely game throughout Friday night’s contest.

In fact, Brandon Whitaker’s one-yard TD run _ his second touchdown of the game _ at 9:40 of the fourth cut Toronto’s deficit to 32-27. But Collaros marched Hamilton 58 yards on 11 plays to set up Justin Medlock’s 17-yard field goal at 13:48.

Trevor Harris took Toronto to the Hamilton 24-yard line but was intercepted by Emanuel Davis in the endzone on the game’s final play.

The loss was a costly one for Toronto as Stala had to replace kicker/punter Swayze Waters in the second half. There was no announcement regarding the nature of the ailment but Waters missed six games with a knee injury earlier this year.

(The Canadian Press)