ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – It was week 16 in the CFL and quite possibly the biggest game of the season with Montreal and Toronto squaring off for first place in the East Division during the Argos PINK game as the CFL raises awareness about Women’s Cancers.
The Argos were once again without Ricky Ray and Chad Kackert but did receive a boost with the return of non-import K/P Noel Prefontaine, who returned to the lineup after major hip surgery in July. “Pre” would finish with 11 punts for an average of 44.3 yards.
Fittingly, the scoring would be started by the Argos and Prefontaine who would kick his first punt 57 yards into the end zone for the single.
“Pre” would once again strike for the Double Blue later in the half. This time showing his veteran savvy by recovering from a mishandled snap to get the punt off and still make it into the end zone for the single. 2-0 Argos.
The next drive would be halted as Ricky Foley flew into the backfield and tackled QB Anthony Calvillo for the loss. The offence however, would do nothing with the ball and be forced into a two-and-out.
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VIDEO: Durie 24-yard TD |
Following a single from the Alouettes, the Argos would proceed to drive down the field. Receptions by Mike Bradwell, Andre Durie and Jason Barnes for first downs would put the Argos in the red zone.
That’s when another costly penalty would bring back another big play for the Argos as a holding call would nullify a Chad Owens touchdown reception. However, housemate and landlord Andre Durie would make up for the lost Owens TD when he would turn a short pass into a 24-yard TD score.
9-1 for Double Blue midway through the second quarter.
The Als would finally add to their score with a 35-yard field goal from Sean Whyte late into the second quarter. Chris Jones’ defence held them to just the field goal after a massive backfield tackle from defensive swiss army knife Ejiro Kuale.
The Als would tack on a field goal and the half would end 9-7 for the Boatmen.
After both defensive units would hold strong, the Argos would take the first gamble of the second half.
Facing third and six on their own 49-yard line, Milanovich would call a fake punt, allowing Prefontaine to throw for the first down. His pass would reach safety Jordan Younger but would be knocked out of his hands by an Als defender. The Als would take over in Argos territory and would come away with the go-ahead field goal.
That’s when the Argos defence would finally get the takeaway they’d been working towards. Robert McCune would lay a monster hit on RB Victor Anderson and force a fumble that would be recovered by Armon Armstead.
The turnover would lead to a field goal for Swayze Waters and the lead for the Boatmen.
Calvillo and the Als would respond quick on a 75-yard strike to Jamel Richardson down the sideline on the first play of the drive. The lead was short lived as the Als storm back in front 17-12.
It would only get worse for the Argos as the offence would continue to struggle and Jarious would throw an INT right into the arms of Als Linebacker Shea Emry. Emry would take it to the house for the pick-six, his first of the season. 24-12 Als late into the fourth quarter.
Double Blue would attempt to make a late push as Pacino Horne would come down with his fourth INT of the season.
Jarious and company would stall out again, failing to muster a first down and punt the ball away again.
Neither team would muster more offence as the game would end 24-12 in favour of the Als.
With their next game on Friday, the Argos have little time to dwell on this game and must turn around and prepare for the Winnipeg Bluebombers who come to Rogers Centre on Friday, October 19th. For tickets CLICK HERE.
By The Numbers:
Jarious Jackson finished 20 of 40 for 239 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
Andre Durie led all receivers with 6 receptions for 81 yards.
Gerald Riggs had 5 rushes for 13 yards and added 5 receptions for 58 yards.
In his return to the lineup, Jason Barnes finished with 3 receptions for 37 yards.
Chad Owens finished with 114 Combined Yards.
Matt Black had his biggest day on Special Teams with 4 Kick Returns for 86 Yards.
Ricky Foley led all Argos defenders with 5 tackles and 1 Sack.
Pacino Horne had his 4th INT of the season in the loss.