ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Sitting at 6-4, the Argonauts marched into BC Place with a chance to beat the Lions and vault into a tie for first in the CFL. The boatmen have not won a game in BC in over a decade.
The Lions would be the first to strike after a 36 yard run by QB Travis Lulay would put BC in scoring position. Kicker Paul McCallum would miss the 39 yard field goal attempt but would score the single after the Argos did not bring the ball out of the end zone. 1-0 BC.
The Double Blue would take over with Gerald Riggs at running back, starting his fist CFL game for the injured Chad Kackert. On his first CFL carry, Riggs would break a tackle in the backfield and rumble for a first down, a solid start for the rookie. The Argos would be forced to punt.
| Related: Argos v. Lions |
|---|
|
|
That’s when the Argos defence – for the third week in a row – would put some points on the board. Pacino Horne would force a fumble and the ball would land in the hands of Kevin Huntley. Huntley would take the ball all the way to the goal line only to have it knocked lose by Marco Iannuzzi. Matt Black would clean up the play, scooping the ball off the turf and taking it into the end zone for the score.
The Argos would take the 7-1 lead on the Boatmen’s third defensive touchdown in as many weeks.
On the next drive, it would be Lulay’s turn to turn the ball over throwing a pick to Argos CB Ahmad Carroll. It would be Carroll’s third pick in his last three games.
The Argos however, would be unable to capitalize on the turnover and come away with no points.
The defensive pressure from the Argos would persist as they would continually force Lulay to scramble out of the pocket and make throws on the run. Notable plays from Ejiro Kuale, and constant pressure from Ricky Foley would be the difference in limiting the Lions in the second quarter.
Lulay would find Simon on one deep throw and they would only come away with a McCallum field goal. 7-4 Boatmen.
On the next Lions posession, the offence would finally hit paydirt. Lulay found Shawn Gore in the open field and Gore would take it 39 yards to the house. 11-7 Lions.
The Argos got the ball back and marched to near the 50 yard line, but Swayze Waters hooked his attempt at a field goal and Tim Brown brought it back out of the end zone to keep the scoreline 11-7.
The Lions got the ball back deep inside their own territory, and marched all the way downfield in the final two minutes. The dominant drive was capped by a Lulay strike to former Argo Arland Bruce III in the endzone to make it 18-7.
The Argos would come out in the second half and put together a scoring drive. Ray would march the offence down the field and set up a Swayze Waters field goal. Swayze would connect from 41 yards out and cut the Lions lead to eight
Another Argos turnover, this time courtesy of a Jordan Younger forced fumble and a Pat Watkins recovery would set up another drive for Ray and Co.
Ray would finally let it fly on a deep ball to Spencer Watt who would haul in the 45 yard catch. The Argos red zone woes would rear their head and the Boatmen would be forced to walk away with just a field goal. 18-13 Lions late into the third quarter.
Lulay would respond with a drive of his own, setting up McCallum for another field goal. McCallum would connect on the field goal, 21-13 Lions.
The Argos would finally get the big play they wanted as Ray wound find Watt for a long catch and run for the TD. The play would come back on a holding call as the Argos penalty troubles would continue.
Following another Argos field goal, the Lions would again drive down the field. Highlighted by an Andrew Harris run to the goal line, FB Rolly Lumbala would punch it in on the goal line. 28-16 Lions with just over seven minutes left to play.
After getting stopped and being forced to punt, Scott Milanovich would pull out a trick play and fake the punt. Waters would run for the first down.
That would set up a deep pass to Chad Owens who haul in a 52 yard catch and run for the major. With just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter the Argos would sit within five. 28-23 Lions.
Chris Jones’ defensive unit would hold the fort and force a Lions punt.
With two minutes left on the clock it would come down to Ricky Ray and the two-minute drill.
Completions to Mike Bradwell and Dontrelle Inman would get the Argos into Lions territory. Then a third down run by Gerald Riggs would extend the drive. Under a minute left to play and three downs to get to the end zone.
The offence however, would come up just short after two failed shots to the end zone would lead to a third and ten.
Ray would drop back but have the ball stripped from behind, leading to a Lions fumble recovery.
The comeback would fall just short as the Lions would prevail 28-23 and the Argos would fall to 6-5 on the season.
By the Numbers:
Chad Owens would lead all receivers with 114 yards receiving. He would also add 26 yards on punt returns and 108 on kick returns for 248 All-Purpose Yards. He passed Jimmy Cunningham and Bashir Levingston and now sits 10th in All-Time Return Yards. He is 305 yards away from his 3,000 yard three-peat.
Ricky Ray finished 19/38 with 311 yards and a TD.
In his first CFL start Gerald Riggs had 5 carries for 39 yards and 4 catches for 43 yards to finish with 82 total yards on offence.
Spencer Watt had 102 yards on 3 receptions.
Swayze Waters was ¾ on field goals.
Marcus Ball lead the defence with 7 tackles.
Evan Mccollough and Pacino Horne both had forced fumbles in the game.
Ahmad Carroll had his third INT of the season in as many games.