ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – This one started out with a bang. After a failed tow and out by the Argos would see the Bombers take over, it took only two plays for the Argos defence to make their presence felt.
Coming free off the edge, Brandon Issac laid a thunderous hit on QB Alex Brink causing his pass to fly in the air and get picked off by Robert McCune.
It took only four plays for the Argos to convert for the major as Cory Boyd caught a small hitch pass from QB Ricky Ray and rumbled his way into the endzone. That touchdown would be his fourth TD of the season in as many weeks.
The Bombers would takeover and put together their own drive. However, they would be stopped short by the Argos defence and be forced to settle for the field goal. 7-3 Argos.
After a FG by Waters would sail wide of the uprights, it looked like the Bombers would attempt to run it out. That’s when Chris Van Zeyl, running full speed on special teams would lay out the Bombers returner and save the single for the Argos.
At the end of quarter number one, it would be Argos 8, Bombers 3.
| Related: Argos Move To 2-2 |
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POST-GAME VIDEO: Milanovich Post Game HIGHLIGHTS: |
After a stunted drive for the Bombers to start the second quarter, the Argos would take over and Ray would go to work. He would find Durie down the middle for a 50-yard catch and run play, his longest reception of the season.
Though they would get halted in the redzone, Swayze Waters would come in and kick his first ever CFL field goal, nailing an 18-yard kick and extending the Argo lead to 11-3.
The Bombers though would finally get rolling. After a long catch by Clarence Denmark, it would set Brink and company up on the goal line. The QB would call his own number and sneak across the goal line from 1-yard out. 11-10 Argos.
Another Argos drive would stall out which would set the table for the Bombers to take their first lead of the game. Though they would get stopped deep in enemy territory by the defence, kicker Justin Palardy would connect from 30-yards out and give the Bombers the 13-11 lead.
Just when it looked like things couldn’t get any worse, a failed challenge would uphold a Chad Owens fumble and the Bombers would look poised to take a big lead into halftime.
That’s when veteran Jordan Younger would come up with a huge interception on a Brink overthrown pass and return the ball all the way into Bomber territory.
Ray would waste no time and connect on a deep pass to The Flyin’ Hawaiian for the major. It would be Owens’ first receiving TD since 2010 and would put the Argos up 18-13 going into halftime.
The third quarter would go by relatively quietly and be chalked up to a defensive struggle. The only scoring play would be a Bombers field goal and we would go into the final frame Argos 18, Bombers 16.
That’s when disaster would strike again. A muffed punt by Owens would immediately place the Bombers in great field position. Though they would not move the ball, they were in range and would hit a 38-yard field goal to take the lead back from the Boatmen.
After another Bombers field goal, the game would sit at 22-18 in favour of Winnipeg and that’s when Ray would take over.
Ray would talk to Head Coach Scott Milanovich and suggest a play on how they could get Jason Barnes open. It was something he’d seen in the defence and good thing the coach listened.
Barnes would break free of his defender and Ray would hit him in stride for the 37-yard TD. It was Barnes’ first touchdown of the season and came at the perfect time.
The Argos defence would seal the game and the DoubleBlue would move to 2-2, tied atop the Eastern Division standings with the Alouettes.
By The Numbers:
Ricky Ray was 23 of 34 for 325 yards, 3 TD’s and 1 INT.
Andre Durie once again lead all Argo receivers with 91 yards on 5 catches. His 50-yard reception was his longest on the year.
Jason Barnes caught the game winning touchdown and totaled 4 receptions for 72 yards.
Chad Owens recorded his first receiving touchdown since 2010 to go along with four receptions for 63 yards, four punt returns for 15 yards and 6 kickoff returns for 132 yards for a total of 210 all purpose yards.
Swayze Waters hit his first ever CFL field goal for 18-yards in the second quarter.
Jalil Carter and Armond Armstead lead the defence with 5 tackles; Armstead added his first career CFL sack.
Robert McCune’s first quarter INT was his first of the season.