Next Game
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ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MONCTON — After a scoreless first quarter, it seemed as though the Toronto Argonauts were starting to put their offence together. With just over eight minutes left in the second quarter, QB Cleo Lemon hit WR James Robinson for a 50-yard strike down the left seam. A few plays later, veteran RB Jeff Johnson completed the drive with a one-yard major and it seemed that their unproductive start was all but a memory. The Argos’ offence was starting to grasp some of the game’s momentum Sunday afternoon in Moncton.
Their grip loosened quickly, however, when, following a blocked convert attempt, the offence seemed to simply fall apart. They failed to put up another major and threw six interceptions along the way. Turnovers in that quantity are something that Johnson and his teammates know will not win football games down the stretch.
“We started to get some momentum towards the end of the first half and we needed to build on that momentum,” Johnson said following the 24-6 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. “We’ve just got to be better than that.”
Building and continuing to generating momentum are notions that have eluded the team during their last five weeks. The Argos’ offence has continuously strung together impressive drives, moving the ball with confidence and sometimes with ease, only to stall – and in many cases, turn the ball over.
Johnson states that the problems this week were clear but taking the now 3-9 Eskimos lightly was not one of them. “It is getting closer to the playoffs now so every game is an important game,” Johnson said. “The CFL is about momentum and getting on a run and we need to clean up our act and get on that run.” Unlikely to comfort Johnson, the veteran back had arguably his best outing of the season on Sunday afternoon. He rushed five times for 37 yards and a touchdown while also making a touchdown-saving tackle on the last play of the second quarter when he hunted down Edmonton LB Elliott Richardson, who had picked off a pass and run it in for what was thought to be an Eskimo touchdown. Following a review, it was determined that Johnson had stopped him just short of the goal line. Time in the half expired and Johnson preserved what was only a four-point deficit, at the time.
Johnson and his teammates will travel back to Toronto on Monday before beginning preparation for their Saturday, October 2 afternoon battle with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. For tickets, please call 416.341.ARGO (2746) or click here to purchase online.