Bo Levi Mitchell couldn’t wait to celebrate his 100th career CFL victory.
So after the final question was asked about his milestone win and 35-17 victory against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, the 35-year-old quarterback remarked with a smile, “Okay, let’s drink.”
The two-time Grey Cup winner and two-time Most Outstanding Player reached the century mark in his 144th start to become the fastest to 100 wins, bettering Ron Lancaster’s 100 wins in 149 starts.
Mitchell also moved into a tie for ninth on the CFL all-time list with Matt Dunigan.
The Ticats pivot claimed he didn’t start thinking about making history until 20 seconds remained.
“That’s not the reason I still play,” Mitchell said. “It’s for the moment afterwards in the locker room.”
The Tiger-Cats’ first victory in three starts in 2025 was an emotional one. First-year general manager Ted Goveia, who recently was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, registered his first CFL win as a GM and was awarded the game ball.
Also, 24-year-old linebacker Devin Veresuk spoke about his successful first CFL start. The native of Windsor turned the game in Hamilton’s favour with a 36-yard pick-six late in the third quarter.
“The ball just happened to magically appear in my hands,” said Veresuk, who snared his interception after Montreal QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson bounced off his intended receiver Travis Theis.
“Thank God I didn’t drop it. I heard my teammates say, ‘Get out of there.’ So I just turned around, saw green grass and didn’t stop.”
Veresuk recalled he only had one interception return for a touchdown in his time at the University of Windsor. He was pleased about 15 family members and friends made the trip from Windsor to witness his heroics.
“This is probably the happiest I’ve been outside of this football game,” Veresuk said. “I love it here. So I can’t complain.”
Besides his defensive touchdown, Veresuk made a team-leading eight tackles before 20,911 at Tim Hortons Field.
Another Canadian in Johnny Augustine of Welland, Ont., contributed to Mitchell’s evening.
With running back Greg Bell out with a calf injury, Augustine ran for 49 yards on 15 carries and caught three passes for 63 yards.
The University of Guelph product was a significant performer in the second quarter when a Hamilton drive resulted in a one-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Kenny Lawler.
Augustine was good for a 39-yard catch and run and an 18-yard run to set up Hamilton’s first touchdown.
Mitchell completed passes to nine different receivers, completing 25 of 31 for 247 yards.
Bethel-Thompson started in place of injured starter Davis Alexander (hamstring). The Alouettes pivot completed 24 of 41 for 203 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble that resulted in a touchdown recovery from Hamilton defensive lineman Julian Howsare with 2:22 remaining.
The Alouettes (3-1) began the second half with an eight-play, 45-yard drive, resulting in a 12-yard field goal from Jose Maltos to cut the home side’s lead to 8-7.
The Ticats (1-2) answered with a 37-yard field goal from Marc Liegghio and a four-point advantage.
Alouettes defensive back Najee Murray twice made goal-line tackles late in the first half to pressure the Ticats into a third-and-one situation before the Lawler touchdown.
The Ticats have four straight wins following a bye week after going three for three in 2024.
Tiger-Cats: Travel to meet the rival Toronto Argonauts on Friday.
Alouettes: Play host to the British Columbia Lions on Saturday, July 5.
