ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – The return of Cory Boyd was the story at the start, but the Argos struggles on offence became the story once the game got underway.
The first score of the game would go to the Eskimos on a 22-yard kick from former Argo Grant Shaw. The drive was set up by short field position after the Argos were pinned on their goalline and a poor punt from Swayze Waters had the Esks start their drive in Argos territory.
It looked like the Argos would have a response as a long methodical drive saw Ray and company march into the redzone. That’s when leading CFL tackler J.C. Sherritt would pick off Ricky Ray for his third INT of the season, the 8th INT thrown by Ray on the year.
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PHOTOS: Week 9 Gallery |
The game would then take a turn for the Eskimos as starting QB Steven Jyles would get knocked out of the game and back-up Kerry Joseph would come in to replace him. Joseph however, would not miss a beat.
On his first play he would throw deep to the Argo endzone and CB Ahmad Carroll would commit a pass interference penalty bringing the Esks 39 yards down the field to the goal line. The Eskimos would give Boyd a chance for redemption with a goal line carry but he would get stopped short on the one yard line. On the next play however, Joseph would call his own number and cross the plane for the major. 10-0 Edmonton.
Then the Argos defence that has kept the team in games all season gave the offence some help. Making up for his earlier gaff, Carroll would come up with his first career CFL INT putting the Argos in Eskimos territory.
The redzone issues for the Argos offence would continue however, as they would get stopped after a second down throw to Dontrelle Inman in the back of the endzone would fall incomplete. Mr. reliable Swayze Waters would come in and nail the field goal through the uprights. 10-3 Eskimos.
Following another Grant Shaw field goal, the Eskimos would stretch the lead to 13-3.
On the next drive, Ray would get picked again by the Eskimos for his second on the day, and ninth on the season. Joseph would take over and on the first play run for 30 yards after DL Ricky Foley would miss Joseph on a 1-on-1 situation in the Eskimos backfield.
The defence would step up again for the Argos, limiting the Eskimos to another field goal. Shaw would convert and stretch the Edmonton lead to 16-3, and that is where the team’s would into the locker room at the half.
The Argos would come out and respond in the second half. On the first drive, Ray would go deep to Dontrelle Inman in the endzone for the major. Inman would climb the ladder and come down with the 15-yard TD. 19-10 Eskimos.
Again the Esks would respond with a field goal pushing their lead back to nine.
The Argos defence would once again step up.
Pacino Horne would make an electric diving INT on Joseph for his first INT in the CFL. Following the INT the Argos would make no mistake and convert.
Chad Kackert would take a handoff from Jarious Jackson on 3rd and short and bounce it outside for the score grabbing extra yards with a dive into the endzone. 19-17 Eskimos with the Argos charging.
Edmonton would have an answer as a long drive would be capped by a run into the endzone from Hugh Charles. 26-17.
Inman would continue to be the go to guy for Ray as he would make an incredible adjustment on a deep ball for a 42-yard grab. The Argos however, would come away with no points as Waters would miss a 50-yard field goal and the Eskimos would manage to save the single by bringing the ball out of the endzone.
On the ensuing drive, the Eskimos would not score but they would take over five minutes off the clock with their lead still at nine. The time loss would prove more devastating than anything.
The Argos would have one final chance to mount the comeback but would get stalled in Eskimos territory once again. An overthrown deep ball to Inman would see the Argos turn the ball over on downs with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter.
No more points would be had as the game would end 26-17 in favour of the Eskimos.
The Argos would fall to 4-4 with the Labour Day Classic on tap next against Hamilton on September 3rd.
By The Numbers:
Ricky Ray finished 26/38 for 251 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs
Dontrelle Inman lead all Argos receivers with 117 yards on 8 catches and a TD
Chad Kackert ran for 58 yards on 8 carries and added 5 receptions for 31 yards.
Chad Owens finished with 163 All Purpose Yards.
Robert McCune lead the way on defence finishing with 9 tackles.
Pacino Horne and Ahmad Carroll both had INTs in the game, their first in the CFL.
In his return, Cory Boyd finished with 9 rushes for 45 yards and added 2 receptions for 30 yards.