HAMILTON -- The Renegades' playoff hopes died a hard death last night, tumbling away along with a ball that fell from the hands of receiver Curtis Jackson in overtime. The 20-17 win by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium eliminated the Renegades (5-11) from the CFL playoff picture, a swift and stunning end to another desperate rally.

They made it interesting with a 27-yard, diving touchdown reception by Pat Woodcock on a pass from third-string quarterback Brad Banks on the last play of regulation time to send it into overtime.

After Hamilton kicker Jamie Boreham kicked his second field goal of overtime (from 42 and 29 yards) to put the Ticats up 20-17, Jackson was stripped of the ball after a reception near the Hamilton 20-yard line with the Renegades pressing for the touchdown they needed to prolong their slim playoff hopes.

FUMBLE SEALS IT

Hamilton's Jason Goss recovered the ball just before it went out of bounds to end the Renegades' possession, the game and Ottawa's playoff hopes, sending the crowd of 29,220 into a wild celebration.

"I thought the ball was out of bounds," said Jackson, who struggled to scratch out another couple of yards after the catch before Airabin Justin, a player plucked off the Renegades' practice roster by the 'Cats, stripped the ball.

"The second half was ours. We showed a lot of heart. We forgot the score and the refs calls. We went out and did our job. We didn't give up. We left everything on the field."

"The guys were fighting for every yard," said Renegades oach Joe Paopao. "Give them credit. (The Ticats) stripped the ball. When the ref pointed the other way, I knew it was over."

BANKS CASHES IN

Banks was a bright spot after going into the game to replace starting QB Darnell Kennedy, who left in the second quarter with a broken left hand.

The Renegades' string of devastating injuries continued with the loss of Kennedy (replacing injured starter Kerry Joseph), receiver/returner Jason Armstead (possibly torn ACL) and defensive lineman John Turntine (ankle).

Banks (20-for-27, 292 yards, one interception, two touchdowns in a little more than a half) drove the Renegades from their own 26 in the final 36 seconds to set up Woodcock's touchdown, just the receiver's second of the season.

In the overtime, the Renegades pushed the ball to the Ticats' four-yard line on their first possession, but after running back Josh Ranek was dropped for a loss, they had to settle for a 16-yard field goal from Brian Holmes.

"You have to get a touchdown there," said receiver Yo Murphy. "We worked so hard to get down there and we let them off the hook."

The Renegades defence held the Ticats on both their possessions, forcing Boreham to kick field goals of 42 (a clutch kick to keep the overtime going) and 29 yards.

So now, the dream of having the Renegades participate in the Grey Cup in their own backyard is done.

The Renegades have to win their last two games -- next week in Montreal against the Alouettes at the Big O and the season-finale against Hamilton at home in two weeks -- to match last year's win total of seven.

The way things are going, that's going to be a lot to ask.

It looks like they could go into Montreal on Saturday with Banks at the controls, backed up by Tyler Paopao, the coach's son and formerly fourth on the depth chart.

The Renegades will have to find another quarterback for Saturday's game.

chris.stevenson@ott.sunpub.com