Lauther's field goal on final play rallies Riders to 33-30 win over Ticats

Hamilton Tiger Cats fullback James Tuck (40) collides with Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Marcus Sayles (8) during first half CFL football action in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, June 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

HAMILTON — Brett Lauther's 43-yard field goal on the final play of the game rallied the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a stunning 33-30 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday night.

Lauther's boot was set up by C.J. Avery's interception at the Hamilton 37-yard line with 35 seconds left on the clock.

It was the second straight comeback win for Saskatchewan (2-0). The Riders outscored Edmonton 21-3 in the fourth quarter last week en route to a 29-21 road victory.

The loss tarnished a solid effort by Bo Levi Mitchell, who was 27-of-38 passing for 380 yards and three TDs for Hamilton (0-2).

Marc Liegghio's 41-yard field goal at 9:28 of the fourth put Hamilton ahead 30-20 before 22,313 spectators at Tim Hortons Field. Lauther's 34-yard field goal at 11:20 pulled the Riders to within 30-23.

Trevor Harris's 10-yard TD pass to Kian Schaffer-Baker at 14:17 tied the score 30-30. It capped an impressive 88-yard, seven-play drive.

Saskatchewan earned the win despite 11 penalties for 115 yards. Hamilton wasn't much better, flagged nine times for 100 yards.

The two teams will complete the home-and-home set with Hamilton visiting Regina's Mosaic Stadium next week.

Harris finished 32-of-45 passing for 390 yards with two touchdowns.

Lauther's 46-yard field goal at 1:44 of the fourth cut Hamilton's lead to 27-20.

Steven Dunbar Jr., Kiondre Smith and Shemar Bridges had Hamilton's touchdowns. Liegghio booted the converts and three field goals.

Schaffer-Baker, with two, and Shea Patterson scored Saskatchewan's touchdowns. Lauther had two converts and four field goals.

Mitchell hit Bridges on a 16-yard TD strike at 13:25 of the third to put Hamilton ahead 27-17. It followed a bizarre turn of events where Saskatchewan's C.J. Revis recovered a James Butler fumble at the Ticats' 36-yard line.

But Revis had lost his helmet before the recovery and was penalized for illegal participation. That gave Hamilton possession at its 36-yard line, setting up Mitchell's toss to complete a huge three-play, 75-yard march that included Smith's 59-yard catch off a flea flicker.

Lauther opened the second half with a 49-yard field goal at 2:44 of the third. Patterson pulled Saskatchewan to within 20-17 with a one-yard TD run at 8:13 that capped a six-play, 77-yard march.

Liegghio's 40-yard field goal at 13:41 of the second gave Hamilton its 20-7 halftime advantage. Penalties plagued Saskatchewan, which was flagged seven times for 75 yards, including two 15-yard misconduct calls.

The Riders drove to the Hamilton 36-yard line late in the second but a holding penalty with four seconds left took them out of field goal range. Instead of having the ball at the Ticats' 40, Saskatchewan faced third-and-27 at the Ticats' 53 and Harris's ensuing pass fell incomplete.

Hamilton amassed 270 offensive yards — compared to just 142 for Saskatchewan. Mitchell completed 16-of-23 passes for 248 yards and two TDs.

Mitchell's 38-yard pass to Smith at 9:28 put Hamilton ahead 17-7. It came after Saskatchewan's Godfrey Onyeka was flagged for a 15-yard misconduct penalty on a punt return that moved the Ticats to their 35-yard line.

Mitchell found a wide-open Dunbar on a 60-yard TD strike to give Hamilton a 10-7 lead just 21 seconds into the second.

Harris put Saskatchewan ahead 7-3 with a 24-yard TD strike to Schaffer-Baker at 11:25 of the first.

Liegghio's 13-yard field goal at 5:41 opened the scoring to cap an 11-play, 76-yard drive. But it followed White dropping a Mitchell TD pass after the two connected earlier on 17-yard, third-down completion.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2024.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press