Missed field goal on game’s final play gives Tiger-Cats 24-23 win over Argonauts
Written by The Canadian Press on July 18, 2026
HAMILTON — Veteran Toronto kicker Lirim Hajrullahu missed a 31-yard field goal on the game’s final play, allowing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to register a 24-23 win over the rival Argonauts on Saturday night.
It was a tough night for Hajrullahu, whose missed convert earlier in the quarter allowed Hamilton (3-3) to cling to its 24-23 advantage. Toronto (2-4) drove 58 yards on seven plays to set up the game-winning boot for its veteran kicker.
Tre Ford threw a TD pass and ran for a game-high 109 yards in his first start at quarterback for Hamilton. The native of Niagara Falls, Ont., not only gave the Ticats their first win in three games but first since starter Bo Levi Mitchell suffered an ankle injury in a 14-13 home loss to Winnipeg on July 5.
Hamilton also beat Toronto for the sixth time in the teams’ past seven meetings despite finishing with a makeshift offensive line that was minus injured tackles Trevor Reid and Quinton Barrow. That forced a shuffle of existing starters and tight end Max Mang to move to guard.
Nick Arbuckle’s one-yard run at 7:25 of the fourth pulled Toronto to within 24-23. It culminated a 10-play, 97-yard march that included unnecessary roughness and pass interference calls against Hamilton.
Chad Kelly’s five-yard TD strike to David Ungerer III 46 seconds into the fourth pulled Toronto to within 24-17.
Hamilton looked poised to go ahead 27-23 but kicker Marc Liegghio missed from 49 yards out. The Ticats regained possession at their 11-yard line with 3:28 to play and drove to centre field before punting and giving Toronto possession at its 29-yard line with 1:16 remaining.
The game began on time despite both teams being sent to their dressing rooms during warm-ups due to the air quality. Under the CFL’s air-quality policy, if the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI+) reaches eight or higher as per metrics provided by Environment Canada, teams will be sent off the field.
According to Air Quality Ontario, the reading in Hamilton at 6 p.m. ET spiked to about seven after being around two roughly 30 minutes earlier. Both teams returned to the field at around 7:05 p.m. ET, and kickoff commenced as schedule.
Each CFL stadium has multiple air-quality sensors to provide real-time readings at the venue. Active smoke systems are monitored in the lead-up to, and throughout, game day.
High air-quality readings in southern Ontario forced both teams to practise indoors this week. Hamilton went outdoors Friday but only for its walk-through but Toronto held its walk-through indoors at Guelph, Ont.
Kenny Lawler, Ante Litre and Jake Dolegala had Hamilton’s touchdowns. Liegghio booted the converts and a field goal
Arbuckle had two TDs for Toronto. Hajrullahu added two converts and a field goal.
Liegghio connected from 11 yards out at 13:33 of the third to give Hamilton a 24-10 lead.
Hajrullahu’s 12-yard boot pulled Hamilton to within 21-10 at 8:50. It followed Dymere Miller’s 71-yard kickoff return.
Dolegala staked Hamilton to a 21-7 lead with a one-yard scoring run at 6:11. It was set up by Jamal Peters’ interception and return to the Toronto 31-yard line.
Litre’s one-yard TD run at 14:41 of the second staked Hamilton to a 14-7 halftime lead. Ford keyed the 14-play, 100-yard march by completing six-of-seven passes for 42 yards. He also ran three times for 21 yards, including twice on second down to keep the drive alive.
Ford finished the half 14-of-18 passing for 138 yards with a TD and interception. He rushed six times for 68 yards as Hamilton converted 11-of-13 second-down chances.
Toronto was a solid seven-of-11 on second down as Kelly was seven-of-13 passing for 84 yards.
Ford’s 25-yard TD strike to Lawler at 10:12 of the first made it 7-7, ending an impressive eight-play, 70-yard drive on Hamilton’s first possession. It followed Arbuckle’s one-yard touchdown run at 5:39 that capped Toronto’s opening 10-play, 64-yard march that was aided by a Ticats roughing-the-passer penalty on a second-down sack.
UP NEXT
Argonauts: Visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday, July 25.
Tiger-Cats: Visit the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday, July 26.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2026.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press