TIGER-CATS 20 ALOUETTES 17

HAMILTON – Running back Ross Scheuerman took advantage of his first CFL start.

Scheuerman ran 18 hard yards on four plays to run down the clock and set up the game-winning field goal as his Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Montreal Alouettes 20-17 at Tim Hortons Field on Friday night.

The 23-year-old rookie out of Lafayette, who finished the game with 79 yards on 16 carries, wasn’t even sure how much he’d touch the ball, let alone being given the opportunity on the game’s final drive.

“I don’t think I expected to run the ball that much but Zach (Collaros) checked on it a lot based on the five-man box they were giving us,” he said.

“He trusted me with the ball in my hands and it was just easy.”

The score was tied 17-17 with 3:27 left in the game when Hamilton began its 72-yard drive, highlighted by a 31-yard catch by Andy Fantuz at the Montreal 20 with 2:03 left.

That’s when Scheuerman took the ball down to the one-yard line with seconds left, leaving kicker Brett Maher with a 10-yard chip shot as time expired.

Scheuerman has been with the Ticats all season, making appearances on special teams and a couple plays on offence. But with starter C.J. Gable out with an injury, he was the next man up.

“It’s just a different mindset, when you have to step in and start and all,” he said. “Those guys are counting on you. I just didn’t want the offence to miss a beat.”

Hamilton moved into first in the CFL East, improving to 6-6. Montreal fell to 3-9 and is in last place after dropping its fourth straight game.

Collaros had lots of praise for his Gable’s replacement.

“He carried us offensively tonight,” said Collaros, who completed 25-of-36 pass attempts for 291 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“If we gave out game balls, he needs to get the game ball for sure.”

Both Collaros and head coach Kent Austin credited the Ticat defence in the win. They recorded four sacks, an interception and two fumbles. Emanuel Davis got the interception and recovered both fumbles, which were forced by Larry Dean.

“The other side of the coin was that our defence was really, really good tonight,” said Austin. “We didn’t give up a touchdown. They got us the ball in the second half. Got turnovers, especially when (the Als) were down in our territory.”

Luke Tasker scored Hamilton’s lone touchdown on an eight-yard catch down the middle with five minutes left in the second quarter.

Maher made all four of his field-goal attempts, hitting from 16, 28, 51 and 10 yards, and added a 63-yard punt single. Montreal kicker Anthony Fera hit one of two field-goal attempts, missing from 33 yards and hitting from 49. He also scored a 51-yard punt single.

Despite being 3-9, Montreal head coach Jim Popp believes his team still has a shot at making the playoffs.

“It’s been a crazy year,” he said. “We’ve had unbelievable chances late in the game. We just haven’t been able to kick the door down and get it done.”

(Canadian Press)