Tiger-Cats 23, Blue Bombers 15: Jumal Rolle intercepted a pair of passes and backup quarterback Dane Evans ran for a touchdown to help Hamilton hand visiting Winnipeg its first loss of the season.

Evans completed 13-of-25 passes for 94 yards in relief of starter Jeremiah Masoli, who left the game late in the first quarter with an apparent left knee injury after going 6-of-7 for 59 yards and rushing for a TD for the Tiger-Cats. Maleek Irons carried nine times for 45 yards and Brandon Banks gained 48 yards on six receptions for Hamilton, which improved to 5-1 for the first time since 1998.

Matt Nichols was 29-of-48 for 261 yards and a score but was picked off three times after throwing just one interception in the first five games as the Blue Bombers (5-1) had their five-game winning streak against East Division opponents halted. Andrew Harris gained 53 yards on eight carries and made eight catches for 64 yards while Darvin Adams caught a touchdown pass for Winnipeg.

Masoli capped an eight-play opening drive with a 22-yard touchdown run before Rolle's interception and return on the next series set up a 1-yard TD sneak by Evans that gave the Tiger-Cats a 14-0 lead. Nichols connected with Adams for a 25-yard scoring strike midway through the second quarter and the Blue Bombers posted a safety before Lirim Hajrullahu's 21-yard field goal gave Hamilton a 17-9 advantage at intermission.

Hajrullahu converted a 27-yard attempt midway through the third quarter after a fumbled punt and, after Justin Medlock answered with a 33-yard kick late in the period, added a 42-yarder early in the fourth following Rolle's second interception for a 23-12 lead. Medlock's 18-yard field goal with 2:43 remaining pulled Winnipeg within a score, but the Blue Bombers managed to record only one first down on their final two possessions.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Nichols' string of 19 straight completions ended Friday with his first attempt, leaving him four away from Masoli's CFL record. … Winnipeg LB Adam Bighill, the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player last year, made two tackles in his return after missing three games with a hamstring injury. … Tiger-Cats LB Simoni Lawrence (23 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions) served the second contest of the two-game suspension he received for an illegal late hit in the season opener. … Hamilton OL Mike Filer played in his 100th CFL game on Friday.