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Gable, Hamilton defeat Toronto

Oct 15, 2013 - 12:41 AM Guelph, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have tightened up the race for the Eastern Division title with their second win over the first-place Toronto Argonauts in as many weeks.

Henry Burris threw for 350 yards, C.J. Gable ran for a touchdown and the Ticats held on for a 24-18 win in a Thanksgiving clash against a Toronto team that welcomed back quarterback Ricky Ray.

Burris completed 27-of-36 passes with one interception for the Tiger-Cats (8-7), who clinched the season series against the Argonauts, giving them a critical tiebreaker.

Hamilton is one game behind Toronto (9-6) in the division standings.

Gable gashed the Argonauts defense for 118 yards on 17 carries and made five grabs for 46 yards.

"It was a complete team effort," said Hamilton head coach Kent Austin. "Really proud of the defense, got a big turnover late in the game."

Ray, back after missing six weeks with a shoulder injury, had 303 yards on 26- of-34 passing with two touchdowns, the second a 12-yard strike Jason Barnes to close the gap to six points with eight-plus minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

However, Ray's first interception of the season ended the comeback bid. Hamilton defensive back Arthur Hobbs picked off the pass in the end zone with a little over a minute left.

"It was a tough loss," said Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich. "It ended up being a great football game, but we made too many mistakes, (took) too many penalties and we turned the ball over late in the game."

The Ticats fumbled on each of their first two possessions, but were awarded a safety when Toronto defensive back Jalil Carter, pursuing the second loose ball, kicked it through the end zone.

Burris then did much of the heavy lifting on a pair of scoring drives, leading the team down the field before 1-yard plunges by reserve quarterback Dan LeFevour. The second touchdown run put Hamilton up 16-1 in the second quarter.

There was a shift in momentum prior to halftime. Toronto defensive back Ricardo Colclough picked off a deflected Burris pass, and Ray quickly found wideout Spencer Watt for a 32-yard touchdown.

Gable then capped the opening possession of the second half with a short TD run. Swayze Waters kicked a 19-yard field goal to trim the Argonauts' deficit 24-11 late in the third quarter.

Game Notes

The Ticats posted a 33-19 victory in Toronto on Oct. 4 ... Hamilton wide receiver Luke Tasker caught seven passes for 113 yards.