Game Summary

In anticipation of making history by being the first American team to win a CFL game, the Sacramento Gold Miners were stifled by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defence on a hot, muggy evening at Ivor Wynne Stadium. 20,307 spectators watched as their home team’s defensive unit showed that they were products of that Steel City mentality, sacking Gold Miner QB David Archer 5 times and picking off 3 of his passes, including a 55-yard touchdown return by Gary Wilkerson (who later set up another TD after an interception) to increase Hamilton’s lead by 17 points in the last quarter. After playing their first game in Ottawa less than 72 hours before, the Gold Miners were unable to get things going until the second quarter, when K Jim Crouch missed his 4th FG attempt in a row (3 vs. Ottawa) for a single and then finally connected from 17 yards out to make the score 7-4. Ti-Cat K Paul Osbaldiston booted his first of 3 FGs just before the 2 teams headed for the half-time break. The 3rd quarter only saw Wilkerson’s major while a 56-yard TD pass from QB Don McPherson to Scott Walker put the game out of reach for the visitors. Ozzie’s 2nd and 3rd FGs sandwiched Sacramento’s only TD, a 4-yard toss by Archer to Rod Harris to wrap up the win for the Tabbies.