Ticats flip script in holiday upset

Argos outplayed almost every way on Labour Day

- SCOTT RADLEY

Argos quarterback Chad Kelly is stopped short of the goal line by Ticats linebacker Jamal Peters on a two-point convert attempt at Tim Hortons Field on Monday.

On a gorgeous unofficial last day of summer that saw the Tiger-Cats outlast the Argonauts 31-28 in the Labour Day Classic, everyone watching was surely left with one thought.

Where has that team been all year?

This version of the black and gold was terrific. Explosive on offence. Resilient when things started to wobble. Largely mistake free.

“It was a good win,” says Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich. “It was a great win.”

The first quarter of this one — the 15 minutes that really decided the outcome — was a thing of beauty if you’re a fan of the home side. The best stanza of the entire season by a wide margin.

After the Ticats intercepted Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly on the second play from scrimmage, Bo Levi Mitchell promptly hit Tim White for a 57-yard touchdown pass. It wasn’t just a stirring appetizer but the first time in five games they had found the scoreboard in the first quarter.

As starts go, you can’t ask for much more.