Game Summary

It was a battle of division leaders this week at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton as the Eskimos hosted the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It was also a reunion of sorts as Head Coach Ron Lancaster, QB Danny McManus, and SB Darren Flutie made their first return to Edmonton after being lured away as free agents during the offseason. K Paul Osbaldiston opened the scoring in the first quarter when his 22-yard FG at 3:23 gave Hamilton a 3-0 lead. Fleming replied 2:14 later tying the game at 3 with a 42-yard FG. Osbaldiston gave the lead back to Hamilton at 7:28 when his 53-yard FG attempt sailed wide scoring a single. He then followed up with a 46-yard FG with 21 seconds remaining in the quarter, making the score 7-3. The second quarter belonged to Hamilton as the Tiger-Cat defence shut down Edmonton’s attack and allowed their own offence to go to work. Osbaldiston’s 68-yard punting single at 1:57 marked Hamilton’s first score of the quarter. This was followed by a 4-yard TD pass from McManus to Flutie at 7:20. Flutie and McManus hooked up for the game’s next score as well, this time a 22-yard reception at 13:07. Osbaldiston’s convert attempts were good on both majors. Osbaldiston continued to wield a hot foot, rounding out the scoring in the half by nailing FGs from 38 and 30 yards respectively, pacing Hamilton to a 28-3 lead at halftime. Osbaldiston padded the Tabbies totals in the third quarter hitting a 25-yard FG at 6:52. Edmonton cut into Hamilton’s lead before the end of the period when SB Don Blair teamed up with QB Jimmy Kemp for a 44-yard TD reception. Fleming’s convert rounded out the scoring in the third stanza with the scoreboard displaying Hamilton’s lead at 31-10. In the final period of play Hamilton continued to pull away from the Eskimos when SB Mike Morreale and Danny McManus hooked up for a 92-yard completion and the major at 1:22. The play marked the longest of both players’ careers. Osbaldiston nailed the convert and then proceeded to kick a 53-yard punting single to complete the scoring in the match. The win gives Hamilton the best record in the CFL while Edmonton’s loss ties them with Calgary for first in the West.