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Tiger-Cats edge Montreal in first meeting of the season

Sep 21, 2013 - 11:36 PM Moncton, NB (Sports Network) - Henry Burris finished with 176 passing yards as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Montreal Alouettes, 28-26, in an Eastern Conference matchup at New Moncton Stadium.

Burris connected on 15-of-27 pass attempts and was intercepted once while under center for Hamilton (6-6), which picked up its second win in three games. Dan LeFevour led the team in rushing with 61 yards and a major on eight attempts. Onrea Jones gained a team-high 73 yards on three receptions in the win while Eric Norwood registered five tackles.

Josh Neiswander completed 26-of-35 pass attempts for 294 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Alouettes (4-8), who lost for the third time in a row. Duron Carter had a huge performance with 112 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions and S.J. Green turned his four catches into 63 yards and a major. Chip Cox anchored Montreal's defensive unit with eight tackles, two sacks and an interception.

Hamilton put the first points on the scoreboard as Brett Lauther connected on a 25-yard field goal attempt with just under six minutes left in the first frame.

The Alouettes took their first lead at the 1:24 mark of the first quarter as Neiswander connected with a well-covered Green on a 33-yard pass for a major. Sean Whyte's successful extra point conversion put Montreal ahead, 7-3.

Hamilton used a little trickery to respond. After the team lined up for a field goal attempt, wideout Andy Fantuz delivered a shovel pass to Marc Beswick, who took the short pass 10 yards into the end zone for a score. Lauther's extra point try split the uprights which gave the Tiger-Cats a 10-7 edge.

Montreal added three points with 2:25 left in the half as Whyte chipped in a 32-yard field goal attempt. Lauther matched him with a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the period, which gave the Tiger-Cats a narrow, 13-10 lead at the break.

The Alouettes took control in the third quarter as Troy Smith concluded an impressive 68-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Whyte's extra-point try was blocked, which kept Hamilton within a field goal. Whyte drilled a 43- yard field goal attempt with 3:21 left in the third stanza to push Montreal's lead up to six at 19-13.

Whyte added to the lead with a 32-yard field goal at the 2:25 mark of the third quarter that extended Montreal's lead to six points.

Hamilton narrowed the margin in the fourth quarter as it registered a safety after Whyte conceded in the end zone. The Tiger-Cats jumped back in front as they capitalized on a Montreal turnover, turning it into a one-yard run for a major by LeFevour. Lauther was successful on his extra point attempt and added three points with just under six minutes left to play as he made a 34- yard field goal that made it 25-19.

Hamilton added more insurance as Lauther made a 25-yard field goal try at the 1:35 mark of the final frame.

Montreal closed the gap late at when Carter made a spectacular catch in the end zone after Neiswander launched a pass from 27 yards out with 28 seconds left. Hamilton managed to recover the ensuing onside kick to end the Alouettes' late rally.

Hamilton gained 101 yards rushing to the Alouettes' total of 47, but Montreal held a 341-287 edge in total yards of offense. Montreal was penalized 16 times for 95 yards.

Game Notes

Burris had thrown for at least 300 yards in each of his last five outings...He now trails Ron Lancaster for fourth on the CFL's all-time list by only 170 yards...This was the first meeting of the season between these clubs with the next two coming in back-to-back contests during a six-day stretch in late October...Neiswander avoided throwing an interception after coming in with five on the season...Neiswander also entered the contest completing only 48.2 percent of his attempts and hit on 74.2 percent of his passes in the setback...Jerome Messam led Montreal on the ground with 31 yards on nine carries.