ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – With a playoff berth all wrapped up, week 19 offered the Argos a luxury they have not had in past years. The Argos coaches were able to rest some starters in the final game of the season and give the younger and practice roster players the opportunity to show their skills.
This opportunity would want to be harnessed by the younger Boatmen as it could go a long way in securing a spot on the playoff roster, 2013 Argos roster and beyond. But in the end, the night would belong to Chad Owens as he would seek to break Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons’ single season combined yards record of 3,840 yards.
The Argos would open up the scoring on a 36-yard field goal from kicker Swayze Waters. The kick was set up by a long catch on the drive from Dontrelle Inman. Jarious Jackson would be the QB of credit on the drive as he was the official starter for the game.
Needing a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Ticats would not get off to the offensive start they had hoped for. On their first drive, Jordan Younger would pick off a Henry Burris throw intended for Andy Fantuz and take it back 36-yards for the touchdown. It was Younger’s first TD of the season and his team’s third pick six against the Ticats.
After a Hamilton drive would end in a punt, the Argos would once again take over and this would be the drive of Gerald Riggs. Ripping off a 61-yard run to bring the Boatmen all the way from Argos territory to the Ticats red zone. Though the offence would stall, Swayze Waters would make a chip shot field goal and put the Argos up 13.
Luca Congi and the Ticats would finally get on the board with a 28-yard field goal with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.
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Chad Owens Sets Single Season Combined Yards Record VIDEO: Jordan Younger Pick-Six |
The next drive would be all Chad Owens. After a 15 yard kick return, Owens would make a 14 yard catch and follow that up with his first pass of the season. Owens completed a 49-yard throw to Spencer Watt which would set up an inevitable 15-yard TD throw from Jarious Jackson to Dontrelle Inman. A total of 29 yards on that drive for Chad Owens bringing him that much closer to Pinball’s 3,840 combined yard record.
With the Ticats finally making it to the red zone on the ensuing drive, the Argos defence would hold up strong as LB Bryan Payton and DT Jeremy Geathers would sack Burris for a 12-yard loss. After a failed shot to the end zone was broken up by HB Evan McCollough, the Ticats would once again have to settle for three.
Following another Waters field goal, the Argos lead would be expanded to 20-6, and the Ticats would finally get their big play. Chris Williams would get his tenth receiving TD of the season on a 93-yard catch and run, his longest catch of the season. 20-13 for the Argonauts with 9 minutes left in the second quarter.
That is when history happened. With a 29 yard kick-off return, Chad Owens surpassed Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons for the CFL record in combined yards. A ceremony would follow with Owens, Pinball, GM Jim Barker, CEO Chris Rudge and the whole Owens family. A monumental day in both Double Blue and CFL history.
On the next Ticats drive, it would be the youngsters that would get the defence going. DE Donte Paige-Moss would force a fumble and it would be recovered by first time starter Johnnie Dixon. Owens would take the ball down to the two yard line and Riggs would plunge into the end zone to push the lead to 27-13.
The Ticats would add a late touchdown as Aaron Kelly would score from the goalline on a pass from Henry Burris. The Argos would go into the half up a touchdown 27-20.
Burris and Co. would start the quarter off by pulling to within four as Congi would connect on another field goal.
The kicking party would continue as the Argos would match the field goal with one of their own, only to have Congi boot another field goal in response.
With the Argos lead down to 30 to 26, Coach Milanovich would make the switch behind centre and bring Cincinnati product Zach Collars into the ball game. The rookie would be forced to punt the ball away on his first professional series.
On the ensuing drive, Johnnie Dixon (who was signed to the Argos practice roster this week) would force a fumble on Andy Fantuz as the Ticats were marching inside Argos territory.
Collaros would get his redemption as he would find the end zone for the first time in his CFL career on the next drive. He would go 100 yards on nine plays on a drive that would eventually end in a TD pass to Sammy Tranks. On the drive Gerald Riggs would surpass the 100 yard mark for the first time all season and the Argos lead would stretch to 37-26.
The Argos would get the ball back again and Collaros would lead another scoring drive. This time capping the drive off with a field goal by Swayze Waters (his fourth of the game). With just over seven minutes left in the game the Ticats playoff hopes would begin to fade.
The Ticats would add another score with just under three minutes left to bring them within seven as Avon Cobourne would run it in from two yards out. 40-33 for the Double Blue with the Ticats surging.
Collaros would only manage to take 26 seconds off the clock as the Argos would be forced to punt following a two-and-out and Chris Williams would burn the Argos once again with a long punt return to give the Ticats excellent field position.
Chris Williams would complete the comeback with a 5-yard TD grab on a night when Henry Burris would set a career high in passing yards with 497.
With just little time on the clock it was time for Collaros to put an end to the Ticats season. Sammy Tranks would put the rookie in solid field position and after a completion on the run to Jay Barnes would put the Argos into Ticats field position, Waters would come in for the game winning kick.
Waters would connect from 52-yards out and dash any hopes the Ticats had of the post season.
The Argos will take on either the Eskimos or the Roughriders on November 11th at Rogers Centre. Make sure your there by calling (416) 341-ARGO (2746) or visit ticketmaster by CLICKING HERE.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Your Quarterbacks:
| CP/AT | Yards | TD | INT | |
| Z. COLLAROS | 7/11 | 101 | 1 | 0 |
| T. HARRIS | 7/14 | 77 | 0 | 0 |
| J. JACKSON | 4/5 | 92 | 1 | 0 |
| C. OWENS | 1/1 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
Chad Owens finished with 3 receptions for 39 yards, 3 kick off returns for 64 yards and 1 punt return for -8 yards for a total of 95 combined yards to pass Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons for the most combined yards in a single season. Owens also added one pass completion for 49-yards. Yes, you read that right.
Dontrelle Inman lead all Argos receivers with 128 yards on 7 catches adding 1 TD.
Gerald Riggs rushed for 112 yards on 15 carries and 1 TD, adding 2 for 35 in the passing game.
Sammy Tranks had 3 receptions for 27 yards and a TD adding 77 kick return yards and 2 punt return yards for 106 combined yards.
Johnnie Dixon lead the Argos Defence with 7 tackles and 1 forced fumble.
Jordan Younger had 2 INTs, one of which he took to the house 36-yards for a Pick-Six.
Jeremy Geathers had the hat trick with 1 tackle, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.