Hazelton’s 108-yard TD one for the record books
EDMONTON — Pass completions over 100 yards in the CFL are similar to comets; they are an awe-inspiring rarity that should be appreciated when in view.
CFL fans witnessed a spectacle Friday night when receiver Vidal Hazelton etched his name into both the league and Edmonton Eskimos record books by recording one of the longest touchdown passes in recent memory.
His 108-yard receiving major was the longest pass completion in franchise history, breaking the previous milestone set by Eskimos’ legend Jason Tucker that stood for over a decade. The Hall of Famer was on the receiving end of a 105 yard Ricky Ray pass back on June 30, 2005.
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In Week 6, trapped in the Eskimos’ own end zone, quarterback Mike Reilly remained calm and launched a deep ball to Hazelton, who made the snag at the Edmonton 44-yard line. Hazelton fought off one defender in the middle of the field before stiff arming another near the end zone to pick up 66 yards after the catch and cap off what was a game-changing first-half play.
“I was tired on the play, but I got there,” Hazelton told Esks.com. “I didn’t realize how big the CFL field is once you start running the whole thing. It’s pretty long.”
Only three other catches in league history are longer than Hazelton’s on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the pass completion was the longest in the league since 2002 when Alfred Jackson caught a 109-yard toss from Damon Allen for the BC Lions.
In 1966, Jerry Keeling connected with Terry Evanshen for a 109-yard gain while playing for the Calgary Stampeders. Ten years earlier, it was Sam Etcheverry’s pass to Hal Patterson for the Montreal Alouettes that turned heads.
Longest pass completions in CFL history
| Yards | Passer | Target | Team | Date |
| 109 | Sam Etcheverry | Hal Patterson | MTL | Sept. 22, 1956 |
| 109 | Jerry Keeling | Terry Evanshen | CGY | Sept. 27, 1966 |
| 109 | Damon Allen | Albert Jackson | BC | Aug. 21, 2002 |
| 108 | Mike Reilly | Vidal Hazelton | EDM | July 28, 2017 |
| 108 | Tobin Rote | Jim Rountree | TOR | Sept 10, 1961 |
| 108 | Joe Zuger | Dave Fleming | HAM | Sept. 6, 1971 |
There have been two other pass completions in CFL history that tie Hazelton’s 108-yard touchdown haul.
Hazelton is coming off of impressive back-to-back performances and shows no signs of slowing down. He totalled 159 yards on eight catches against the Lions last week and scored the game winning touchdown with less than a minute left on the clock in a comeback win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“Man, there’s something about me right now,” he said. “Please give me the ball. I want to make the play.”
After being released in a surprise move by the Argos last fall, Hazelton’s patience has paid off in 2017. With the Eskimos, Hazelton has recorded 385 receiving yards and three touchdowns, already eclipsing last season’s yardage total.
He and the 5-0 Esks get back at it on Friday night when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
With files from Esks.com
