ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Head Coach Scott Milanovich and DB Etienne Boulay returned to the stadium where they had spent their careers before donning Double Blue, but it was another former Alouette who stole the show in the first half.
After some nice coverage in the endzone by Ahmad Carroll held the Als’ first drive to just three points, it was time for Ricky Ray to take over.
In just two plays, the Argos went down the field and scored. First, with a 35-yard strike to rookie receiver Dontrelle Inman which, after a challenge, was upheld as a catch, and then a deep toss to the Flyin’ Hawaiian, Chad Owens and the Argos were in the endzone. It was Owens’ second receiving touchdown in as many weeks. It also marked the first time in his career the Owens scored receiving touchdowns in back to back games.
The Alouettes would have a response. A drive that was led by multiple rushes by RB Brandon Whitaker would eventually be capped off by an Anthony Calvillo TD strike to receiver Brandon London. 10-7 Als, and a shootout was in the making.
| Argos 23 – Als 20 |
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With the Argos in Montreal territory, the first quarter would come to an end. Owens finished the first quarter with four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Ray found Owens again for a major, this time with a 10-yard toss to the back of the endzone. The last time Owens had two receiving touchdowns in a game was at Rogers Centre back on August 14, 2010; also against Montreal.
The Argos’ aerial assault would continue on the next drive. Chandler Williams replaced Owens in the slot for a series and ripped off his own 54-yard catch and run from Ray.
After a holding penalty against the Argos called back a Jason Barnes touchdown grab, they settled for the field goal attempt. K/P Swayze Waters was true from 15-yards out and it was17-10 Boatmen.
A 26-yard Sean Whyte field goal would bring the Als back to within four and, after a stalled Argos drive, the Als would once again take over with a chance to take the lead in the seesaw battle.
The Als would come up short on their drive giving the Argos a chance to extend their lead.
On the ensuring punt return, a vicious tackle by Alouettes’ S Kyries Herbert on Owens forced him to fumble the ball. Coach Milanovich challenged, and the call was rightfully be overturned. The drive stalled, but Waters would show his “YouTube” leg and hit a long, 50-yard field goal which put the Argos up 20-13.
With the half winding down, the Argos’ defence would finally make their presence felt. Cornerback Pat Watkins climbed the ladder in the endzone and picked off a Calvillo pass intended for Jamel Richardson.
The Argos would go into the half with a 20-13 lead.
The defence picked up where they left off, forcing a fumble on the Als first series. The fumble was caused by Kevin Huntley and recovered by Ejiro Kuale. The ensuing series resulted in no points though, as Waters missed a 46-yard field goal.
Defence reigned supreme in the third quarter as the only points would come from a 49-yard field goal by Whyte. The score was 20-16 for the Argos heading into the final frame.
After a single by the Als put the score at 20-17, the Argos would, once again, lean on their kicker to extend the lead. Waters once again hit from 50-yards out which pushed the Argos’ lead to 23-17.
The kicker battle would continue as Whyte would respond with a field goal of his own, bringing the Als to within three again, and it was 23-20 for the Argonauts.
Defence continued to be the story in the fourth quarter as both teams stalled out on various drives. The game came down to Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes with 41 seconds on the clock.
After a huge sack by Argos’ LB Brandon Isaac, the Alouettes would bring out Whyte for one final shot to tie the game.
Whyte missed the 54-yard field goal attempt and the clock expired, giving the Argos the 23-20 victory and the top spot in the East Division.
By The Numbers:
Ricky Ray threw for 280 yards with 20 completions on 30 attempts.
Chad Owens went for 97 yards on 7 receptions, and added 59 punt return yards and 121 kick return yards for 277 all purpose yards. He scored two receiving touchdowns.
Cory Boyd rushed 14 times for 51 yards and did not find the endzone for the first time this season.
Swayze Waters was 3 of 4 on field goal attempts. Two of those field goals were 50-yards. His only miss was from 46.
Robert McCune had 10 tackles to lead all Argos defenders.
Pat Watkins had 6 tackles and 1 INT, his second of the season.
Kevin Huntley had one forced fumble, his first of the season.