Masoli, Ticats pull off record comeback over Eskimos

On a night when Flo Rida performed at halftime, Jeremiah Masoli and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats dropped their version of "Turn Around" on the Edmonton Eskimos.

With Masoli setting a CFL record with 23 consecutive pass completions, the Tiger-Cats (3-2) made the greatest comeback in franchise history by overcoming a 25-point point deficit to stun Edmonton 37-31 on Saturday. Masoli, the former Oregon Ducks quarterback who has struggled with ball security so far this season, went 31-for-38 for 391 yards and three touchdowns, almost all of it in the final 27 minutes in front of a crowd of 32,083.

Masoli - in just his sixth CFL start - delivered two optimally thrown fade routes to veteran slotback Andy Fantuz for fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Tiger-Cats' defence, after being a step behind Edmonton's troika of quarterback Mike Reilly, slotback Adarius Bowman, and wide receiver Derel Walker for two-plus quarters, forced three consecutive two-and-outs during the 31-0 run.

With the win, the Tiger-Cats are a half-point behind Ottawa (3-1-1) for the East Division lead as they head into a bye week. Hamilton is also hopeful of having its No. 1 quarterback, Zach Collaros, back in time for an Aug. 3 road game against Winnipeg.

For Edmonton (2-2), it was the team's third consecutive home game with a second-half defensive meltdown. The Eskimos, which wasted a 354-yard passing night from Reilly, had a chance to retake the lead in the final minute after driving to the Tiger-Cats' 25-yard line. A holding penalty on left tackle Tony Washington put Edmonton in a desperate situation, and then Reilly was sacked on consecutive plays, with Courtney Stephen recovering a fumble to end the game.

The Ticats trailed 31-6 after Reilly and Bowman connected on a 10-yard touchdown reception on the first possession of the third quarter. Masoli and the Tiger-Cats replied with a 74-yard drive for their first touchdown of the game, with Terrence Toliver getting open for a 26-yard scoring touchdown.

The thought of a comeback went from passing fancy to serious consideration on Hamilton's next drive, when a 25-yard pass-interference penalty on Edmonton cornerback Marcell Young moved Hamilton to the 1-yard line. Backup quarterback Jeff Mathews snuck over for the TD to cut the lead to 31-20.

Luke Tasker had 11 receptions for a game-high 146 yards for Hamilton, repeatedly finding slivers of space in Edmonton's zone coverage. Tasker caught four passes alone on the 73-yard drive early in the fourth quarter that brought Hamilton to within a touchdown of Edmonton for the first time since early in the second.

Brett Maher was 3-for-3 on field goals for Hamilton, which is 3-0 on the road. Chad Owens also added a two-point convert catch.

Reilly was 32-for-42 with three touchdowns, for his seventh consecutive 300-yard performance. Walker made 12 receptions for 140 yards and Bowman had nine for 111. Both caught touchdowns. National receiver Cory Watson and John White also scored touchdowns for Edmonton. Sean Whyte was 1-for-1 on field goals.

Edmonton is home again to Winnipeg (1-4) on Thursday.