Cats after Harrison Frost injured against Riders

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were forced to make yet another quarterback change on Saturday night against Saskatchewan, but it worked out in their favour.

Canadian quarterback Tre Ford, who entered the night as the team’s backup, came off the bench in the second half to secure a 26-19 victory over the Riders.

“I thought Tre did an amazing job when he came in at halftime,” head coach Scott Milanovich told the Ticats Audio Network post-game. “When we knew Tre was going to go in, I was telling (offensive coordinator) Jarryd Baines, the kid worked his ass off this week, preparing, standing behind the huddle, saying the plays, and he was ready for his moment.”

The Niagara Falls, Ont., native entered the game trailing 19-10. He helped reel off 16 unanswered points, completing 13-of-17 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown, a spectacular 41-yard bomb to Keric Wheatfall to give Hamilton the lead. He added four carries for 38 yards on the ground.

“Great play, amazing catch,” Milanovich said of Ford’s touchdown throw. “Tre had guys bearing down on him. Hung in there, wasn’t afraid to take the shot, laid it out there. Obviously, that was a really big momentum play for our football team.”

Starter Harrison Frost exited the game at halftime with an undisclosed injury. He remained on the sideline in uniform, but made multiple trips to the medical tent and appeared to be grimacing as he threw on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old finished 12-of-16 for 112 yards passing and a touchdown. Since returning to the Tiger-Cats and taking over as the starter, he has completed 41-of-69 passes for 516 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.

“I thought Frosty played well tonight,” Milanovich said. “I thought he was playing really well, seeing the field well, making the throws. There was a couple that he would want back, but what he’s attempting to do on short time here with us this season has been, I think, exceptional.”

Hamilton has seen four different QBs play meaningful snaps this season. After franchise quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell went down with a likely season-ending ankle injury in Week 5, Hamilton turned to Jake Dolegala. After he underwhelmed, Scott Milanovich turned to Ford in Week 7. That only lasted until midway through the second quarter in Week 9, when Ford was benched and Frost came into the game. The West Georgia product was making his second career start against Saskatchewan.

Milanovich has previously announced his long-term commitment to Frost, but it is unclear whether Ford’s performance has shaken that moving forward.

“We’ll see how (Frost’s) health is, and we’ll go from there,” the coach added. “But we’re enjoying tonight.”

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-6) return to action on Saturday, August 22, when they’ll visit the Toronto Argonauts (4-5).

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