As the Ticats continue to sharpen their skills in preparation for the postseason, the one-two quarterback combo of Bo Levi Mitchell, who made his Hamilton debut, and Matthew Shiltz continued to display flashes of brilliance.

Mitchell completed 13 of 19 passes (68.4%) for 135 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Shiltz completed 14 of 19 passes (73.7%) for 180 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

The Ticats pushed the West Division power to the limit, falling by a field goal in the game’s final moments, 33-30.

Although Coach Steinauer’s squad doesn’t suit up for moral victories, the Ticats again proved that they could go blow for blow with any team in the CFL.

Their productivity and precision on offence is a big part of the reason why.

Four Ticats hauled in five or more receptions (seven for Tim White, six for Terry Godwin and Kiondre Smith and five for James Butler). White put up 112 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. Butler produced 114 yards from scrimmage (67 rushing and 47 receiving).

Defenses continue to struggle vs. the Ticats. When they try to lock down Hamilton’s stars at the skill positions, the depth of their roster proves to be too much to contain. When they try to account for all of Hamilton’s moving pieces, they fail to slow down their stars. Pick your poison.

Dexter Lawson Jr. delivered a breakthrough performance on defence, leading Hamilton with seven defensive tackles and hauling in an interception. Kicker Marc Liegghio was again money in the bank, connecting on all three field goal attempts (100.0%).

When all three phases of the game are in sync, the Ticats will be awfully difficult to stop.

They’ll have to wait until October 28th to have the opportunity to get back on track in the W-L column. A road matchup with the 10-7 Montreal Alouettes will close out the 2023 regular season—one last tune-up before the postseason.