ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – As if the stakes were not high enough playing on a Thanksgiving Day Monday in front of the entire country, the Argos would also be playing for a share of first in the Eastern Division after the Bombers shocked the Alouettes earlier in the day.
It would be the Argos that would get shocked on this holiday Monday however.
The game would not start out how the home side had hoped as the opening kickoff would be taken by Brandon West 81 yards into Argos territory.
Chris Jones’ defence would hold the Riders to just a Sandro DeAngelis field goal. 3-0 Riders early.
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The Riders would continue to build on that momentum after a quick two-and-out from the Argos offence. Durant would hit Taj Smith on a 51-yard bomb to set up first and goal and after four tries Drew Willy would eventually plunge into the end zone. 10-0 Saskatchewan.
The Double Blue would finally get on the board on a long 48 yard field goal by Swayze Waters. After missing a few kicks last week, it would appear Waters’ leg was back on target early. With Waters fighting a hand injury, back-up punter and linebacker Kyle Jones would be handling the punting duties for the Argos special teams.
After another Riders field goal., their lead would be stretched to 13-3, then the Argos would finally respond.
Jackson would lead the Boatmen on a 94 yard, seven play drive that would take three minutes and sixteen seconds off the clock. Capped by a five yard TD catch by Gerald Riggs for his first CFL TD, the Argos would pull back within three.
Though much of the second quarter would be muddled by penalties, stunted drives and punts, the Riders would manage to extend their lead to six with another DeAngelis field goal. 16-10 with 52 seconds left on the clock.
With under 30 seconds left in the half, the Riders would once again march into Argos territory and DeAngelis would make it a perfect 3 for 3 in the half, this time from 48 yards out.
19-10 Riders at the half.
After the Riders opened second half scoring with another DeAngelis field goal, they would begin to pull away.
The Argos offence would continue to sputter leading to more short drives, punting and field position for Saskatchewan who would take advantage.
Kory Sheets would rip off his biggest run of the season, rushing up the middle for a 41 yard score to extend the Riders lead to 29-10.
Another two-and-out for the Argos would lead to yet another explosive play for the Riders. Durant would find Dressler for a 78 yard catch and run and push the game into blow out territory. 36-10 Sask.
Jarious Jackson would continue to be ineffective in the second half and would eventually give way to Trevor Harris midway through the fourth. Jackson would finish 16 of 31 for 162 yards a touchdown and an interception.
Harris would go two and out on his first series after a short Riggs run and an incompletion to Mike Bradwell. He would continue to be inneffective finishing the game 1 for 5 for three yards.
The score would finish 36-10 and the Argos fall to 7-7 on the season. A short week will see the Argos host the division leading Alouettes Sunday, October 14th. For tickets head over to ticketmaster by clicking here.
By The Numbers:
Jarious Jackson finished 16 of 31 for 162 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT
In relief, Trevor Harris finished 1 for 5 with one completion for 3 yards.
Andre Durie led all Argos receivers with 4 receptions for 51 yards.
Gerald Riggs amassed 56 yards on the ground to go with 3 receptions for 12 yards and a TD.
Chad Owens continued his journey towards 4,000 combined yards totaling 148 on the day.
Punting for an injured Swayze Waters, Kyle Jones had 12 punts for an average of 40 yards with a long of 50.
Pat Watkins lead the defence with 6 tackles.
Ronald Flemons added 2 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.