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Eskimos rally, hold off Tiger-Cats

Jul 5, 2014 - 6:04 AM Edmonton, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - The Edmonton Eskimos scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and held on in the final seconds to earn a 28-24 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Commonwealth Stadium.

After Edmonton scored on a pair of singles, two field goals and a fumble return for a touchdown in the final frame, the Tiger-Cats still nearly pulled out a stunning victory.

Trailing 28-24 with eight seconds remaining, the Tiger-Cats had the ball at the Edmonton five-yard line. However, after Dan LeFevour threw an incomplete pass on first down, he was brought down short of the end zone on a quarterback keeper as time expired, allowing Edmonton to escape.

Mike Reilly threw for 253 yards on 29-of-40 passing and had a touchdown to match an interception for Edmonton (2-0). Fred Stamps caught five passes for 74 yards, AJ Guyton had a team-high eight receptions for 54 yards and Nate Coehoorn brought in six passes for 40 yards and a score.

Three different quarterbacks had time under center for Hamilton (0-2). Zach Collaros got the start and completed 4-of-8 passes for 53 yards and an interception before leaving the game in the second quarter with concussion- like symptoms. Jeremiah Masoli (5-of-15, 118 yards, TD, INT) and LeFevour (8- of-11, 70 yards, INT) each got a chance as well. LeFevour also added 27 yards and a touchdown on the ground while Masoli tacked on 32 rushing yards.

C.J. Gable rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown and also had 53 yards and a score through the air. Cary Koch tallied a game-high 79 yards on just two receptions.

The scoring got started when Reilly threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Coehoorn midway through the first quarter as Hamilton got out to a 7-0 lead.

Edmonton would answer before the first quarter came to a close, as LeFevour scored on a two-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes to play in the period.

The Eskimos then took the lead thanks to a 13-yard field goal from Grant Shaw midway through the second frame.

Justin Medlock split the uprights for a 22-yard field goal later in the period, as the teams went into halftime tied.

Hamilton grabbed its first lead of the game when Gable scored on a seven-yard rush early on in the third quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Edmonton cut into the deficit with a 32-yard field goal from Shaw.

Masoli threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Gable early in the fourth quarter to give Hamilton a 24-13 edge.

From there the Eskimos took over. First, they got a 50-yard single from Shaw followed quickly by a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Patrick Watkins.

Shaw had a chance to even the score just a few minutes later, but he missed a 51-yard field goal attempt, instead settling for a single.

It wouldn't be the only opportunity Shaw would have to be the hero, as he connected on two more field goals, one from 43-yards out and the other from 15 following an interception that pushed the Eskimos to a 28-24 lead with 48 seconds to play.

Game Notes

Edmonton is 2-0 for the first time since 2011 ... The Eskimos won a total of four games last season ... Linebacker J.C. Sherritt returned from injury to record four tackles in his season debut for the Eskimos ... Michael Coe led all defenders with 12 tackles ... Edmonton holds a 55-30-1 edge in the all- time regular season series with Hamilton.