ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Whenever the Grey Cup Champions come to town, it is always a chance to make an impression on the league. This day however, would belong to the Lions and their defence.
Things did not start off like the Argos would have hoped, as on the first drive the Lions forced a turnover on Ricky Rays’ first passing attempt. Dante Marsh hit Ray in the backfield forcing a poor throw that was easily picked by James Yurichuk, his second INT of the season. This would be one of four turnovers by the Argos on this day.
The Lions would punch it into the endzone on a 9-yard TD pass from Travis Lulay to Akeem Foster.
On the next drive the story would be the same as Ray would get picked again, this time by Lions MLB Adam Bighill who would jump up at the last second behind the D-Line to snag the ball out of the air.
The Argos defence however, would step up and hold the Lions to just the field goal. 10-0 Lions at 9:37 of the first quarter.
Though they would finally get the ball moving, the Argos next drive would stall out on an over throw from Ray to Durie. It was a simple throw that is completed in practice 100% of the time, just a few inches to long for Durie on this play.
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On the next drive the Argos D would step up huge again with back to back plays. First Evan McCullough would deliver a monstrous hit to stop a Lions completion, and then Ronald Flemons would come through with a batted ball on QB Travis Lulay. The defence would be the story for the Argos, keeping them in this game all night long.
After a few back and forth possessions, the Argos would get another break in the game. A Byron Parker Pick-6 would get called back due to a Lions offside penalty.
The Argos themselves would also feel the wrath of the penalties as a would-be 47 yard catch and run for Birthday-Boy Cory Boyd would get called back due to an illegal block from Spencer Watt. Following the penalty, the Argos would go two and out and punt.
A single from BC would push the lead to 11-0, but the Argos would finally get on the board. Swayze Waters would kick a 35-yard field goal to pull the Boatmen to within eight.
As the half would tick away, Lions K/P Paul McCallum would shank a punt and DB Matt Black would take advantage of a fortunate bounce, scoop the ball off the ground and rumble into the redzone.
Waters would clinch the drive and bring the Lions lead to just five.
Going into the half it would be 11-6 Lions.
In the second half, the Flyin’ Hawaiian would finally come alive.
With back to back big gains for the Argos, one for 12 and 25 yards respectively the offence would drive down the field into the redzone. Again, they would get stopped by a dominant Lions D-Line and be forced to take just three. 11-9 Lions on Waters’ third FG of the game. Waters would finish the game 3/3 on kicks.
That’s when the Argos defence and Ejiro Kuale would rise to the occassion. Racking up two sacks on the defensive series, Kuale would lay two monster hits on Lulay and fire up the 22,841 in attendance. As a result, the Lions would be forced to punt the ball away again.
The defence would continue to step up as they would put up a massive goal line stand after a 50 yard completion from Lulay to Ernest Jackson put the Lions into the redzone.
Stopping running back Andrew Harris on three straight rushing plays, the Argos thought they were clear and had possession. But an offside call on the third down from LB Marcus Ball gave the Lions a fourth attempt from the goal line, and they would not be denied the endzone. Backup QB Mike Reilly would push forward and fall into the endzone, Lions 18 to the Argos 9.
Argos turnovers would continue to mount as a hit on a scrambling Ray would be recovered by former Argo Lin-J Shell, his first fumble recovery of the season. Again, the Lions would take possession from the Argos and force the defence back on the field.
The Lions would not convert any points on the turnover, but the nine point lead would be more than enough to secure the win.
Ricky Ray would throw another INT – his third of the day – and the Lions would run out the clock, clinching the victory and moving to a league best 4-2.
The Argos meanwhile will head into the bye week at 3-3, still tied with Hamilton for tops in the East.
After the bye the Argos will fly to Calgary on the 18th of August and look to get the offence back on track for a tilt with the Stampeders.
By The Numbers:
Ricky Ray finished 25/34 for 215 yards and a season high 3 INT’s and 1 fumble.
Argos leading receiver was Chad Owens with 7 receptions for 73 yards. He added 58 yards on punt returns and 38 yards on kick returns for 169 all purpose yards.
Andre Durie added 6 receptions for 66 yards.
On his birthday, Cory Boyd was shutdown on the ground. Finishing with 8 rushes for 23 yards and adding 6 receptions for 25 yards.
Swayze Waters finished 3/3 on fieldgoals. Hitting from 35, 22 and 35 yards.
On defence, Robert McCune lead the team in tackles for a second straight game with 6.
LB Tristan Black was all over the field on special teams, accumulating a season-high matching 3 special teams tackles.