ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Monday, September 3, 2012 marked the final Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Argos sealed that historic rivalry with a fourth quarter comeback to snatch victory out from under the Tiger-Cats and waltz out of Ivor Wynne with a 33-30 win.
The day was made extra special for the Boatmen as Chad Owens set a new Argos All-Time record with 402 all purpose yards. Owens broke the previous record that was held by Raghib “Rocket” Ismail who had 401 all purpose yards in the 1992 season opener in Ottawa.
| Owens First Quarter TD |
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Chad Owens catches a 39-yard TD in the first quarter of the Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne. The Argos would go on to win the game 33-30. |
Throughout the game on Labour Day, Owens emerged as QB Ricky Ray’s go-to target when he needed a play to be made in the clutch.
Case in point was the first scoring drive for the Argos where Ray found Owens on three separate plays following Owens’ 15 yard punt return. Ray found him for one reception for 21 yards, one for eight and, of course, the 39 yard strike for the touchdown.
The Ticats responded as their own return man Chris Williams returned a punt 82 yards to break the record for most kick return TDs in a single season with six. Owens, however, was not to be out done, taking the ensuing kick 43 yards for his longest return of the game.
Owens finished the first quarter with 151 all-purpose yards.
Quarter two would bring more of the same from Owens as he returned one punt for 26 yards and two kickoffs for 24 and 25 yards respectively. He would finish the first half with five receptions for 78 yards, three punt returns for 58 yards and three kickoff returns for 92 yards for a first half total of 228 all-purpose yards.
Owens’ 78 yards receiving would not only lead all Argos wideouts, if all other Argos receivers combined their yardage from the first half they only beat Chad by one yard – totalling 79 yards amongst Inman, Durie, Kackert, Bradwell and Watt.
The second half would take a while for Owens to get involved as he only had 83 all-purpose yards in the third quarter, highlighted by a 31 yard completion.
Once the fourth quarter rolled around and the game was on the line, Owens truly emerged as Ray’s clear cut safety blanket.
On the final drive, Owens returned the kickoff 18 yards for decent field position. Ray then immediately found Owens for 18 yards over the middle and a first down.
After an incompletion would put the Argos at second and ten, Ray would once again find Owens. This time Owens would make a spectacular one-handed grab on a ball that was thrown slightly behind him. Owens snagged the ball out of the air, secured it into his chest and dove for the first down.
That would cap the day for the Flyin’ Hawaiian who would finish with 176 yards receiving, 136 yards on kick returns and 90 yards on punt returns during his record breaking day.
The tally of 402 all-purpose yards was also good for third all-time in CFL history behind Albert Johnsons (474) in 2000, and Larry Taylor (441) from earlier this season against the Argos.
At this point in the season, Owens is on pace to obliterate his career high of 3,288 all purpose yards set in 2010, and has a chance to be the first professional football player to record 3,000+ all-purpose yards in three straight seasons.
Owens currently sits at 2,227 yards through ten weeks needing only 86 yards per game over the next nine weeks to reach the 3,000 yards mark. With an average of 247 per game so far in 2012, Owens should have no problem accomplishing that goal needing just 773 yards.
| Related: Chad Owens |
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Chad Owens: The 100 Man |
Where Owens really has the opportunity to etch himself into the CFL record books forever is his chance to hit 4,000 all-purpose yards in a single season. With his current total, Owens only needs to average 197 all purpose yards over the final nine weeks. No small task, but 197 is under his current 247 per game pace. If Owens is able to accomplish this goal, he will put his name in not only CFL record books, but professional football record books as one of the most dynamic players to ever play the game.
Starting in week 11, argonauts.ca and @TorontoArgos on Twitter will be tracking Owens and his 3K three-peat with the hashtag #Owens3K3. Follow along on our social networkting sites as Chad Owens looks to put his name up with some of the greatest players in professional football history.
Hamilton comes down the QEW to meet the Argos at Rogers Centre this Saturday. Come out and see if the Flyin’ Hawaiian can repeat his performance and maybe be part of history! BUY TICKETS.