ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Playing on the hallowed grounds of Varsity Stadium for the first time in 55 years, the Argonauts hosted the Montreal Alouettes for the final game of their 2013 CFL Pre-season.
James Yurichuk started the game off showing why he was signed by the Double Blue on the opening day of free agency making a big play to clip the Als returner and stop a long return on the opening kickoff.
Following a series of two-and-outs from Toronto and Montreal, Trevor Harris would take over for the Double Blue. Ricky Ray played just two series and finished 0-3 with no first downs.
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Related: Argos vs. Als |
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IMAGES: Argos vs. Als @ Varsity Stadium VIDEO: Harris & Collaros Comment Post-Game
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After a Swayze Waters punt pinned the Als deep in their own territory, Calvillo and company could not muster any positive yardage and elected to concede the safety. 2-0 Argos early.
The Als starters remained in the game for the entire first quarter and they finally broke through. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the first frame Anthony Calvillo found former Argonaut Arland Bruce for the major. 7-2 Als after one.
On the Argos first drive of the second quarter, Curtis Steele began to show why he belongs in the CFL. Running hard both up the middle, and catching a ball in the flats, Steele got the drive started and fellow newcomer Reggie Williams would finish it off. On a corner route to the back of the endzone, Williams forced separation from the defender making a spectacular one-handed grab for the touchdown. Argonauts lead 9-7.
The Als added a field goal to their total and the first half finished 10-9 in favour of the Alouettes.
There would be no switch at QB for the Argos in the second half with Harris leading the opening drive of the third frame. Setting up a field goal with completions to Julian Feoli-Gudino and Trent Guy the Argos came away with only a single after a Swayze Waters missed field goal. All tied up at ten.
On the next drive the Als took the lead back on a touchdown pass from Tanner Marsh to Michael Campbell over the middle. 17-10.
Zach Collaros finally checked into the game midway through the third quarter but his first drive ended abruptly with a two-and-out. Harris’ night would end with a line of 9-for-16 passing for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Following the two-and-out, rookie Shane Herbert made his presence felt on special teams blocking an Als punt and setting up the Argos with great field position.
After a strong Curtis Steele run up the middle, Collaros called his own number on the goal line, punching it in the one-yard score. Three minutes left in the third quarter and the ball game evened up.
The Argos and Als would exchange blows in quarter number three but finish out the frame still tied at 17.
Collaros remained in at quarterback for the Double Blue to open up the fourth quarter but could not get anything going offensively. But not to worry, he would get get it going soon enough.
With 4:50 left in the fourth the Als finally broke the deadlock with a 36-yard field goal to take a three point lead.
The Argos would respond however as Collaros would lead the Argos downfield capping the drive with a 30-yard touchdown to Juaquin Iglesias. A beautiful ball to the far pylon for Iglesias’ first TD as an Argonaut.
That’s how the game would end as the Als could not respond and the Argos finish the pre-season 2-0 with a 24-20 win at Varsity Stadium.
The Argos will open the regular season at home next Friday as they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the night they will raise their championship banner.