ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – It was an opportunity for revenge for the Double Blue as the BC Lions came to Rogers Centre for their second and final meeting of the 2013 season.
However; this Argos team looked significantly different than the one from week two, as both Ricky Ray and Chad Kackert were forced to watch from the sideline due to injury. QB Zach Collaros and RB Curtis Steele started in their place, both making their first CFL starts.
Following the coin-toss by NBA #1 Overall Pick – and Toronto native – Anthony Bennett, the Lions would start with the ball on offence but the Argos defence swarmed them to a stop.
A sack from former Lion DT Khalif Mitchell and a tackle for a loss from LB Jamie Robinson forced the Lions into a short possession and paved the way for the first possession of Collaros’ first CFL start.
Collars began the game with a QB run and a completion to WR Jason Barnes before some confusion on a shotgun snap lead to a fumble and a recovery for the Lions.
After a long completion to Lions WR Nick Moore put BC in a goal-to-go scenario, the Argos defence stepped up to the challenge. Two successful stops on the goal line forced the Lions into the field goal and the early 3-0 lead.
The Argos took over after a 27-yard kickoff return from FB Zander Robinson and proceeded to drive into field goal range. K/P Noel Prefontaine missed the attempt however and the Argos still faced the early 3-0 defecit.
Both teams traded unsuccessful drives until there was under one minute left in the first frame. LB Marcus Ball turned the early momentum back into the Double Blue’s favour with his first interception of the season, and the first Argos takeaway of the game.
The first quarter ended 3-0 for the Lions but the with Argos driving.
Then Collaros would have his “welcome to the CFL” moment. With Lions LB Adam Bighill blitzing, Collaros side stepped the tackle and delivered a TD throw to Barnes, turning a potential sack into seven points and an Argos lead.
Lulay and the Lions responded with another Paul McCallum field goal to bring them back to within a point.
Mike O’Shea would go deep into the play book on the next kickoff return and execute the perfect reverse. Chad Owens took the kick across the field and handed it off to RB Quinn Porter (making his CFL debut) who rumbled for a 33-yard return.
Collaros and the Argos took advantage, sustaining a long drive on completions to Andre Durie, Spencer Watt & Curtis Steele. Then in a goal-to-go scenario, Collaros rolled out to the right of the pocket and found FB Zander Robinson in the flats for his first career CFL Touchdown. 14-3 Argos deep into the second quarter.
That is how the first half ended with the Argos leading the Lions 14-3. Of note from the first half would be that the rookie QB Collaros would go 11 of 13 for 11 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 6 rushes for 23 yards.
The second half picked up right where the first half left off as the intensity did not drop off.
A strong, 15 play drive by the Lions to start the half was once again stunted by the Argos in the red zone and the Lions were forced into another field goal. 14-9 Argos.
Collaros and co. took over once again and on the first play went deep to Andre Durie only to have the 60+ yard pass called back on a holding penalty.
Not gun shy in his first CFL start, Collaros threw it up once again this time to Spencer Watt for the long completion.
The Argos would get another CFL first as this time Collaros found WR John Chiles in the end zone for his first career CFL touchdown staking the Argos to a 21-9 third quarter lead.
McCallum and the Lions tacked on another field goal on their next drive to cut the Argos lead to 21-12.
The Boatmen responded with a long drive and field goal of their own with Prefontaine connecting on a 20-yarder to extend the Argos lead to 24-12.
On the ensuing Lions drive the Argos defence once again stepped up to the plate and kept the momentum in the favour of the Double Blue.
Rookie Shane Horton forced and recovered a fumble for the second Argos takeaway of the ball game. Collaros could not make the Lions pay for the mistake however, as they were forced to punt on the ensuing drive.
Chris Jones’ defence once again came up with another huge play as this time Jalil Carter forced a fumble from Lulay. The ball was recovered by DB Janzen Jackson however, he would fumble the ball at the 1-yard line only to have S Matt Black recover the fumble for the Argos. The Lions challenged the play but the ruling on the field would stand, Argos football inside the 1-yard line.
With a goal-to-go scenario, the Double Blue called Curtis Steele’s number as he would leap over the pile for his first career CFL touchdown. 31-12 Argos in what became a romp for the Boatmen.
Curtis “Man of” Steele wasn’t finished though as he found the end zone once again on the next Argos drive dancing around defenders for the 11-yard major. 38-12 Argos.
That would be the final as the Argos shocked the Lions at Rogers Centre.
Collaros finished 21-25 for 253 yards and three TDs while Curtis Steele ended his day with 12 rushes for 74 yards and two TDs.
The Argos travel to Montreal in week 7 for a divisional showdown with the Alouettes following their week 6 bye.