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Kenny Lawler caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 34-16 to snap a five-game losing skid.
Kenny Lawler caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 34-16 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. The win snapped a five-game losing skid for the Tiger-Cats, who improved to 5-11 on the season. The Redblacks remained winless at 0-15.
Hamilton trailed 16-13 at halftime but dominated the second half, scoring three consecutive touchdowns while keeping Ottawa's offense off the field. The Tiger-Cats were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week but played with determination.
Lawler also recorded his 400th CFL career reception during the game, a milestone made more special by the presence of his younger brother, Kenzel Lawler, on the opposing sideline. Kenzel, an American defensive back, was claimed by the Redblacks earlier this season and has been with the team since August, dressing for the last two games but not this one.
After the game, the two brothers shared a moment at centre field. Kenny removed his jersey, wrote a message on it and handed it to Kenzel before they hugged and went their separate ways.
Lawler Highlights Team Resilience
Lawler preferred to focus on his team's effort rather than his individual accomplishments. He said the victory showed how much fight the team still has and how resilient they are despite a difficult season. He added that the players are not fazed by adversity and are determined to show what they can do with the remaining games.
Quarterback Harrison Frost had a strong performance, completing 28 of 35 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The Tiger-Cats' defense limited Ottawa to just three first downs in the second half, none in the third quarter, and allowed only six offensive plays in that period.
Head coach Scott Milanovich said that at this point in the season, everyone is playing and coaching for their jobs, so every week matters for evaluation. He praised the character of his players and said they will continue to fight.
Redblacks Struggle in Second Half
Ottawa's offense was ineffective in the second half, managing just three first downs and none in the third quarter. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson finished the game 17-for-31 for 208 yards, unable to find a way through Hamilton's defense.
Bethel-Thompson admitted that the team got their butts kicked in the second half offensively and called the performance frustrating. He said the film will reveal why it happened.
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie took responsibility for the loss, saying he did not call the best game in the second half and should have simplified the approach to let players play more freely. He acknowledged the difficulty of the winless season and apologized to the fans, saying he has not 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 will not be the first, but time is running short.
Season Context and Implications
The Tiger-Cats' victory, despite being eliminated from playoff contention, demonstrated their resilience and desire to compete. The team's ability to execute in all three phases—offense, defense and special teams—was a key factor in the win, according to Lawler.
For Ottawa, the loss extends a frustrating season in which they have yet to win a game. The Redblacks' struggles on offense, particularly in the second half, have been a recurring issue. With three games left, they face an uphill battle to avoid becoming the first modern CFL team to go winless.
The game also marked a personal milestone for Kenny Lawler, whose 400th career reception was witnessed by his brother. The post-game jersey exchange highlighted the family connection amid the competitive nature of professional sports.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2026. Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press.
Kenny Lawler Hamilton Tiger-Cats Ottawa Redblacks CFL Harrison Frost Mcleod Bethel-Thompson Scott Milanovich
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