Kenny Lawler had a few special moments during the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 34-16 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks Friday night. But it was a post-game moment that will likely stay with him.
Lawler caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns to help the Tiger-Cats (5-11) snap a five-game losing skid.
Hamilton trailed 16-13 at the half but came out with a determined effort in the second half and prevailed.
It marked Ottawa's 21st loss in a row dating back to last season, a modern-day CFL record. The latest loss also put the Redblacks in the record book for the worst start to a CFL season, overtaking the Shreveport Pirates' 0-14 start to the 1994 campaign.
“It just shows how much fight we still have,” said Lawler. “It just shows how resilient we are with how the season has been going, but, you know, it doesn’t faze us. We just go out there and we play. We know if we’ve still got games that just means we’ve got more opportunities to show the world who we really are, so that’s what I’m most proud of.”
Lawler also hauled in his 400th CFL career reception and actually had a family member on the sidelines to see it firsthand.
Earlier this season, the Redblacks claimed the rights to Kenzel Lawler, an American defensive back and Kenny’s younger brother. Kenzel has been with the Redblacks since August and suited up for the last two games, but didn’t dress for this one.
Following the game, the two shared a moment at centre field, with Kenny removing his jersey, writing a message on it and handing it to his brother before the two shared a hug and went their separate ways.
Lawler preferred to focus on his team’s effort than his own accomplishments.
“We played hard, we played fast, we played physical on all three phases,” said Lawler. “When we do that throughout the course of the game that’s usually what you get in the end.”
The Tiger-Cats were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week but played like a team with something to prove.
Quarterback Harrison Frost went 28-for-35 passing for 342 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. And the Ticats were able to keep Ottawa’s offence off the field in the second half.
“At this point everybody’s playing, coaching, fighting for their jobs and so every week the evaluation matters for every player, every coach,” said Tiger-Cats head coach Scott Milanovich. “So, we made that clear to everybody.
"But we have a lot of guys with some good character, and they’re going to continue to fight.”
Ottawa’s offence was ineffective in the second half, managing just three first downs and none in the third quarter, as Hamilton took control of the game scoring three consecutive touchdowns while dominating field possession.
The Redblacks only managed to run six offensive plays in the third quarter.
“I don’t think I called the best game in the second half,” admitted Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “I probably should have simplified a little bit and let our guys play a bit more.”
At 0-15 there’s no denying how hard things have been for Ottawa.
Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson came into this game with some momentum, but just couldn’t find a way through Hamilton’s defence finishing the game 17-for-31 for 208 yards.
“We just got our butts kicked in the second half offensively,” admitted Bethel-Thompson. “The film is going to tell a lot as to why that happened, but it was definitely really, really frustrating.”
As hard as it’s been on the team, Dinwiddie knows the fans are also feeling the struggle.
“Our fans have been great,” he said. “I know they probably want me out the door and I don’t blame them, right? We haven’t won a game. You know, I apologize to those guys. I haven’t done a good enough job.”
The Redblacks have three games remaining. They visit the B.C. Lions next week before returning home to host the Toronto Argonauts and then wrapping up the regular season in Hamilton.
No team in the modern era of the CFL has ever gone winless and the Redblacks are hopeful they won’t be the first, but time is running short.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
