ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – It was the rematch that Southern Ontario had been waiting for as the Argos and Ticats took the field at Rogers Centre. Your Double Blue looked to take a commanding advantage over the Ticats in the East Division as another win would put them three games up on the Black and Yellow.
The Argos came out of the gate with a bang. On the first play, DL Armon Armstead burst through the Ticats O-Line and tackled Burris for a sack and a seven yard loss. The Ticats would go two and out.
Ray and co. would take the field and waste no time. After a first down completion to Spencer Watt, Chad Kackert would take a handoff and rumble down the field for a 43 yard TD run. It would be Kackert’s and the Argos longest TD run of the 2012 season. Eric Wilbur, who the Argos signed the day before the game after an injury to Swayze Waters, would come in and connect on the extra point for his first points in Double Blue.
| Related: Argos vs. Ticats |
|---|
|
|
After a Ticat field goal, Chad Owens would take the kick off 66 yards for his longest return of 2012 putting the Double Blue in excellent field position. The Argos red zone woes would continue however, and force the Double Blue to come away with just a field goal. 10-3 Argos.
The Ticats would put another field goal on the board but offences on both sides would sputter till the end of the first quarter. 10-6 for the Boatmen at the end of one.
On the first drive of the second quarter, Maurice Mann would finally come alive. Mann would make three separate receptions on the drive including a long catch to bring the Argos into the red zone. The offence would come away with another field goal, 13-6 Boatmen.
The day of field goals would continue for the Ticats with another Congi make from 48 yards out. 13-9 Argos at the eight minute mark of the second quarter.
That’s when Henry Burris would make his second mistake in as many weeks. Burris would throw a short pass on a crossing route and again an Argos defender would jump the route. This time it would be Pat Watkins who would take the INT to the house for a pick-six. The INT would be Watkins’ team leading fourth of the season and it gave the Argos a 20-9 lead.
On the final drive of the half, the Argos would sustain a long drive only to have the 32 yard field goal attempt missed by Wilbur.
Owens would finish the first half with 122 all-purpose yards. In the return game he would pass Dominique Dorsey for 12th in CFL all time return yards.
The half would end 20-9.
In the second half the ground game would continue to work well for the Argos as Kackert would begin to approach the 100 yard mark. After a roughing the passer call would nullify a Ricky Ray INT, the Argos would march the ball to the redzone.
A tip pass would get intercepted by the Ticats Dee Webb and keep the score at 20-9.
The Ticats would march down the field and get into the red zone where Burris would string together some throws and find Sam Giguere in the endzone for the major. Coach Cortez would elect to go for two and find Chris Williams for the convert. 20-17 Argos.
The Argos would respond with a 63 yard drive highlighted by a 49 yard bomb from Ray to Ken-Yon Rambo who would be tackled at the goalline. Short yardage specialist Jarious Jackson would come into the game and cap the drive with a one yard push to paydirt. 27-17 Argos with 5:01 left in the third quarter.
Just when the Ticats would need a response, HB Evan McCollough would strip Chris Williamsand FS Jordan Younger would recover the loose ball. Coach Cortez would elect to challenge the play but the ruling on the field would stand.
The turnover would result in a single for the Argos as Wilbur would miss his second field goal of the game. 28-17 Boatmen.
Already at 100 yards on the ground for the game, the next drive would be dominated by “Kack Attack”. Kackert would cap it off with a run to the outside and a leap into the endzone at the pylon for his second TD of the game. The play was initially ruled that he was out of bounds at the one, but a smart Milanovich challenge would overturn the ruling on the field. 35-17 Argos.
Kackert would strike again, this time with a 39 yard run to the right putting the Argos up big 42-17. Kackert would finish the day with 172 yards rushing 67 yards receiving and 3TDs. All career high’s.
The Ticats would add two late scores but they would be inconsequential as the game would end 45-31 for the Argos putting a three game difference between them and the Ticats in the Eastern Division. The Argos also own the tiebreaker in the head to head with the Ticats for playoff seeding.
Next week the Boatmen travel cross country to BC for a big game against the Lions.
By The Numbers:
Chad Kackert was a monster against Hamilton finishing the day with 172 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and 3TDs.
Ricky Ray finished 26 of 32 for 331 yards and 1 INT. That’s a an 81% completion percentage.
Chad Owens had 220 all-purpose yards on the day, putting him only 553 yards away from the 3,000 yard three-peat.
Ken-Yon Rambo lead all receivers with 66 yards on 3 receptions.
Maurice Mann had his best game of 2012 with 3 receptions for 42 yards.
Evan McColllough was by far the best defender registering 5 tackles, 1 pass knockdown and a forced fumble.
Pat Watkins’ INT was his team leading 4th and resulted in his first CFL TD.
Walter Spencer lead all special teamers with 2 tackles.