ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
When 2010 statistical materials are produced for next season, the Argos record books are going to look mighty different after an impressive campaign that saw numerous milestones achieved. Along the way, a special teams star was born and a stud running back grew from virtually nowhere en route to a record-chasing year. Here is a look at some of the more notable milestones reached this past season:
Christian Runs Into Record Book:
Rookie receiver Ryan Christian introduced himself to the Montreal Alouettes on August 14 at Rogers Centre when he returned a kickoff 110 yards for a touchdown. The return now sits as the longest in club history, surpassing Terry Greer’s 109-yard touchdown run against Hamilton on July 25, 1981.
Home Away From Home:
For only the third time since 1999, the Argonauts finished with a better record away from Rogers Centre than at home. The Argos finished with a 5-4 record on the road this season.
Owens-ing The Record Book:
First-year Argo Chad Owens hitting the 1,000-yard mark in both kickoff and punt return yardage on the season, making him only the third player in the history of the CFL East Division to do so. His 2,701 total kick return yards put him as the club’s all-time leader in most kick return yards in a season and second in CFL history behind Eric Blount. Here is a look at some of Owens’ other milestones:
• Became the fifth player in CFL history to accumulate 1,000 punt and kickoff return yards in a single season (1,060 PR, 1,216 KR).
• Achieved one of the greatest combined yards seasons in CFL history with 3,288 yards. More than 1,000 yards ahead of Marcus Thigpen (2,190).
• Tied for the CFL lead by scoring four kick return touchdowns in 2010, which was second most by an Argos player in single-season ever (Bashir Levingston in 2003).
• Led CFL in punt (1,060), kickoff (1,261) and missed field goal returns (425).
• Finished second on Argos with seven (7) touchdowns.
• Finished third on team in receiving yards (576).
• Six-time CFL Player of the Week, two-time CFL Player of the Month.
Boy Oh Boyd!
Running back Cory Boyd, busted onto the CFL scene this year, leading the league in rushing for the majority of the 2010 season. His rookie campaign saw him finish with 1,359 yards rushing. He also accomplished the following:
• Became third-youngest different running back in team history to reach 1,000 yards in a single season (25 years old).
• Became eighth Argo to rush for 1,000 yards rushing (Jenkins did it twice).
• Fastest to achieve 1,000 yards rushing in a season having accomplished it in just 11 active games.
• Led Argos with eight (8) touchdowns scored.
• Led CFL in Yards from Scrimmage with 1,722 yards.
Best of the Best
The Argos set a franchise record for most CFL Players of the Week in one season with 10 and tied a club record for most CFL Players of the Month in one season with 5.