Jeremiah Masoli, Tiger-Cats spoil Argonauts' home opener

Jeremiah Masoli and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats spoiled the party Thursday night.

Masoli threw three touchdown passes as the Ticats crushed Toronto 42-20 in the Argonauts' official BMO Field debut. Masoli finished 27-of-37 passing for 318 yards as Hamilton was an unruly guest at its arch rival's opening-night party.

The Argos relocated to BMO Field after 27 years at Rogers Centre. They moved to the domed Rogers Centre in '89 after 30 years at Exhibition Stadium, where it flourished in the 1960s and '70s.

"It's a rivalry and we gave it some attention before the game," Masoli said. "This is their home opener, this is their big party and we'd love nothing more than to spoil it."

Vidal Hazelton brought the enthusiastic crowd of 24,812 — just short of a sellout — to its feet with two third-quarter TDs that pulled Toronto to within 25-20. He took Ricky Ray's one-yard TD strike at 9:40, then scored from 10 yards out at 10:26 after Cam Walker recovered Brandon Banks' fumble on the ensuing kickoff.

Masoli leads Hamilton again

But Masoli — who led the Ticats past Toronto 25-22 in last year's East semifinal — found Banks on a 19-yard TD pass at 14:28 that put Hamilton ahead 32-20. Masoli then connected with former Argo Chad Owens on a 30-yard scoring strike at 7:29 of the fourth.

On those two drives, Masoli was 15-of-15 passing for 176 yards.

"They got a little momentum but learning to be a great team you've just got to be able to respond," Masoli said. "I'm so proud of my guys, they did a great job responding."

Hamilton coach Kent Austin said those two drives were pivotal.

"It was really important we respond," he said. "It's a sign of a team that's maturing to be able to do that, especially in tough conditions."

Toronto defensive back Jeremaine Gabriel left on a stretcher with an apparent neck injury at 9:23 of the fourth, giving the crowd the thumbs up and waving before departing.

Toronto beat Hamilton 25-16 at BMO Field during the pre-season. But the Ticats handed the Argos their first season-opening loss in five seasons.

Toronto's last home-opening victory at Exhibition Place came in 1988, a 34-11 decision over Ottawa.

'New era for Argos'

"It's so exciting," CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said. "It's a new era for the Argos.

"A brand new field, new ownership [under MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum and Bell], new energy and new excitement and a beautiful place to play. And a place that they can call home for really the first time in a long time."

Linebacker Simoni Lawrence, the East Division's top defensive player last year, returned a John Chick deflection of Ray's pass for a TD just 1:07 into the third. That gave the Ticats a 25-6 lead after Toronto pulled to within 18-6 on Lirim Hajrullahu's 52-yard boot to end the first half.

Ray finished 26-of-36 passing for 282 yards and two TDs but surrendered an interception and lost fumble to Lawrence. Ray was sacked six times and faced constant pressure from Hamilton's relentless defence.

"Oh for sure they wanted to ruin [Argos' BMO debut]," Ray said. "They did a great job of batting balls, they were in my face all night."

The atmosphere at BMO Field was electric on a brilliant summer evening. Ticats supporters wasted little time being heard, chanting "Argos Suck" well before the opening kickoff but Toronto supporters countered by showering Hamilton players with boos when they came on to the field.

"It was awesome,' Argos defensive end Ricky Foley said. "This field has every thing we have ever wanted . . . and then we came out and crapped the bed."

Added Argos coach Scott Milanovich: "The atmosphere was going to be great. The thing you hope doesn't happen happened. They got out to a great start and took the crowd out of it."