Eskimos' defence upends Ticats in Hamilton
The Canadian Press | Posted: September 19, 2015 11:29 PM | Last Updated: September 20, 2015
Ticats lose lead, game, quarterback Zach Collaros
Aaron Grymes and Otha Foster returned interceptions for touchdowns as the Edmonton Eskimos defence took advantage of backup rookie quarterback Jeff Matthews in a 25-18 come-from-behind win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon.
Tied 18-18 with less than two minutes left, Jacory Harris, Hamilton's third-string quarterback, fumbled on the Ticat 53 and it was recovered by Edmonton's Don Oramasionwu. Seven plays later, Kendial Lawrence ran in a four-yard TD — Edmonton's first offensive touchdown — and the Eskimos (8-4) took their first lead of the game with 43 seconds left.
Hamilton's Zach Collaros, the league's leading passer, was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter with a suspected knee injury after being hit from behind during a scramble by Edmonton lineman Mathieu Boulay. Collaros was replaced by Matthews, who is usually used on third downs.
Matthews had a fumble and three costly interceptions — one returned 68 yards for a touchdown by Grymes to tie the game at 18-18 midway through the fourth. Foster returned another 45 yards for a TD while Marcell Young made an interception in the endzone after the Ticats had a first-and-goal at the nine-yard line.
Matthews was replaced by Harris after his second pick-six and less than nine minutes left in the game.
Terrence Toliver scored a touchdown for Hamilton (8-4). Lawrence, Foster and Grymes scored for the Esks.