Speculation that the Toronto Argonauts might sign recently released quarterback Casey Printers may just gain momentum.
Quarterback Cleo Lemon’s first year struggles continued as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats trounced the Argos 30-3 in a crucial division matchup on Friday at the Rogers Centre.
Toronto (7-8) missed an opportunity to clinch a post-season spot, and fell behind the Ticats to third in the East Division.
Lemon was unable to move the ball for the Argos, and was momentarily benched in favour of backup Dalton Bell.
After one drive that resulted in an interception leading to a Ti-cats field goal, Bell was also returned to the bench.
Lemon completed 16 of 29 attempts, throwing for 159 yards and two interceptions.
Hamilton (8-7) has won all three meetings with its provincial rivals.
In his return to the Argonauts, Noel Prefontaine kicked an early 31-yard field goal, but Hamilton spoiled the return, scoring 30 unanswered points.
The game was put out of reach in the third quarter, when Argos head coach Jim Barker decided to go for a third down conversion in an attempt to jump-start the offence, but CFL rushing leader Cory Boyd was stopped, giving the ball to Hamilton in favourable position.
After the turnover on downs, quarterback Kevin Glenn completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Marquay McDaniel to extend the Ticats lead to 20-3.
Boyd struggled on Friday as well, rushing for just 26 yards on 11 carries.
Toronto’s main offensive weapon was injured in the first quarter after falling down awkwardly as he was tackled.
The running back returned to the game in the second quarter, but hobbled around noticeably for the rest of the night
Glenn went 19-for-33 for 214 yards for the Ticats, throwing two touchdown passes.
Marcus Thigpen led Hamilton’s rushing attack with 60 yards on only four carries, while Ticats receiver Dave Stala was Glenn’s favourite target, catching five passes for 67 yards.
DeAndra Cobb scored the game’s first major early in the second quarter on a two-yard rush, giving Hamilton a 10-3 lead.
Former Argonaut Arland Bruce put the icing on the cake with a 10-yard touchdown reception in the final quarter.
The Ticats had tremendous field position on the drive after a 53-yard punt return by Thigpen.
