Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17 Edmonton Eskimos 19 (August 11, 2007)

Edmonton (3-3-1) snapped a two game losing skid and moved ahead of Calgary for third in the Canadian Football League's West Division. Hamilton (1-6) remained two points back of Toronto for third in the East with a 1-6 record.

Edmonton held a 3-1 lead after a lackluster first quarter on a 40-yard Sean Fleming field goal. The Eskimos had a good chance to add to their slim lead with five minutes to go in the second frame when Ron Warner crushed Ticats QB Jason Maas and Edmonton recovered the ensuing fumble on the Hamilton 37-yard line. But Edmonton was unable to do anything with the gift and ended up with a 4-1 lead on a missed field goal.

The Ticats came roaring back on their next possession, quickly marching down the field and striking for a touchdown. Maas found Jason French on an eight-yard passing touchdown, giving Hamilton an 8-4 lead with 1:37 to go in the half.

Edmonton regained their lead exactly one minute later as Ray hit Nowacki deep in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown and an 11-8 halftime lead.

Hamilton's Jesse Lumsden was held to just five yards on four carries in the first half.

The Eskimos carried their momentum through to the third quarter, scoring on their first possession when Ray connected with Peterson for a seven-yard touchdown and an 18-8 lead. A punt single by Fleming put Edmonton ahead by 11 after the third quarter.

Hamilton ate into the lead just over five minutes into the fourth with a 103-yard drive, finished off by a one yard plunge by Lumsden. The two-point convert attempt failed and the Ticats trailed 19-14.

The Ticats were able to get the ball back at the Edmonton 50 with 2:21 remaining and got it down to the 27. Nick Setta kicked a field goal to make it 19-17.

Edmonton was unable to take much time off the clock and gave it to Hamilton at the Ticat 23 with 1:02 remaining, but a drop on what should have been an easy catch by Chris Bauman and a couple key defensive plays by the Eskimos allowed the home team to hang on for the two point victory.

Both teams have a full week off before returning to action next Saturday. The Ticats head to Montreal while the Eskimos travel to Saskatchewan.

Notes: Edmonton had linebacker A.J. Gass in to contain Cats speedster Jesse Lumsden, the league's rushing leader. Gass was suspended one game for his helmet-throwing display last week against Saskatchewan but was able to dress against Hamilton while Edmonton appealed the ruling. The Eskimos have had trouble getting going in many games over the past couple seasons but have proven they can hold a lead if they have one. Since the start of the 2005 season Edmonton has now gone 16-1-1 when leading at the half. Ricky Ray's fourth passing attempt in the game put him ahead of Tracy Ham for first in passing attempts in Eskimo history. Ham had 2,433a Hamilton has been assessed over 100 yards in penalties in every game this season. Entering the match Edmonton wasn't far off, averaging 96 yards in penalties per game.

courtesy of cfl.ca