ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Jason Barnes’ big day was not enough on a night when Ricky Ray and Chad Kackert were back in the starting lineup and the opportunity to lock up a home playoff game was a possibility. With a win and a Ticats loss, the Argos would sure up a spot in the CFL Playoffs for the first time since 2010.
The Bombers would strike first on an impressive drive from a combo of QBs in Buck Pierce and Alex Brink. Pierce would lead them 89-yards on 17 plays down the field taking up 8:46 of the clock. Brink would take over on the four yard line and throw a TD pass to Defensive End Jason Vega on a bootleg. 7-0 Bombers.
Chad Owens would fumble the ensuing kickoff return, resulting in short field position for the Bombers offence. Getting it down to the goal line, Brink and the short yardage team would once again convert on a one-yard plunge by the back-up quarterback across the goal line. 14-0 Bombers after just one quarter of play.
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Ricky Ray would finally make his presence felt on the next Argos drive. Slicing the defence for first downs, Ray would cap the 75 yard drive with a 37-yard bomb to SB Andre Durie. Durie beat his defender downfield and Ray threw the perfect ball into the arms of the York product in full stride. Argos on the board, down 14-7.
After the Bombers responded with a field goal to push their lead back to ten, Ray would find Jason Barnes on a 14-yard TD. Barnes would make the catch in traffic with defensive back Alex Suber draped all over him. The drive would span 71-yards and cut the Bombers lead back to three.
Following a Bomber two and out, the Barnes-to-Ray connection would strike again. This time connecting on a 8-yard TD pass to the back of the endzone. After going down 14-0 early, the Argos would take their first lead of the game, 21-17.
The high scoring affair would continue as the Bombers would orchestrate their own 96-yard drive. Pierce would march the team down the field and cap the drive on a 15-yard run by non-import running back Chad Simpson. Bombers back on top 24-21.
The crazy half of football would wrap with both teams sharing unsuccessful drives and the Bombers would head into the room with a 24-21 halftime lead.
Pierce and the Bombers offence would start the scoring off in the second half with a Justin Palardy field goal that would stretch the Bombers lead back to six.
After a missed Swayze Waters 42-yard attempt would net the Argos a single point on the rouge, back-up and short-yardage QB Alex Brink would make the Argos pay once again.
Though it would look like the Argos would get a stop after Ejiro Kuale would lay a huge hit on Buck Pierce, the Bombers QBs would hang in and eventually punch it in again pushing the Bombers lead to 34-22.
Fumble woes would continue for Owens as he would again put the ball on the ground; this time following a catch in Bombers territory. Luckly for the Boatmen, the Bombers would come away with no points on the turnover.
The Bombers would add another field goal and that is when it would look like the Argos were prepared to make a comeback.
Ray would find Barnes for his third TD of the game. A 14-yard score with 3:34 left in the game to bring the game to within one scoring play.
The Argos would get the ball back after the Bombers were forced to punt but the comeback was not to be.
Ray would get sacked and stripped and the Bombers would dive on the loose ball.
Adding a late score, the game would end 44-32 in favor of Winnipeg.
The Argos travel to Saskawthewan next to play a Riders team that laid a beat down on the Boatmen at Rogers Centre just a few weeks ago.
BY THE NUMBERS:
In his return, Ricky Ray finished 20/33 for 383 yards and 4 TDs.
Chad Kackert lead all Argos rushers with 8 attempts for 50 yards.
Jason Barnes had a huge day catching 4 passes for 71 yards and 3 TDs.
Andre Durie also added a TD to go with 6 receptions for 128 yards, a season high in yards.
Chad Owens also surpassed the 100 yard mark with 5 receptions for 108 yards. He added 56 punt return yards and 122 kickoff return yards for a total of 286 combined yards.
Robert McCune lead all Argos defenders with 11 tackles.
Matt Black lead the team on special teams with 3 Special Teams Tackles.