Quarterback Hayden Moore makes first CFL start for Ticats

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Rookie quarterback Hayden Moore will make his first CFL start for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday when the Toronto Argonauts come to Tim Hortons Field.

With the Ticats already locked in as the top team in the East Division, Dane Evans can watch from the sidelines. Since Jeremiah Masoli went down Evans has helped guide the Tabbies to a 14-3 record. Moore threw two passes, both completed, in Week 19 against the Ottawa Redblacks, his only regular season reps so far.

He played in 36 games during four seasons at the University of Cincinnati from 2015 to 2018 completing 545-of-955 passing attempts (57 percent) for 6,518 yards, 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. The native of Clay, Alabama added 225 rushing attempts for 503 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns during his time with the Bearcats.

Moore was signed in May and earned a backup job with a strong training camp. The 24-year-old passed for 176 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while connecting on 68 percent of his throws in extended exhibition action versus the Redblacks and made good on 4-of-7 balls for 30 yards during the final pre-season game.

Hamilton is trying to extend their single-season franchise record for wins to 15.