ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Before the game even began there was a buzz in the air; 6,000 University Frosh students packed the pre-game tailgate and Rogers Centre, cheering on their men in Double Blue.
The Argos received to start off the game and CFL All-Purpose Yards Leader Chad Owens promptly took the opening kick to midfield, where new Argonauts starting QB Zach Collaros would take over.
Following a long pass interference call on the Alouettes, the Argonauts struck first on a missed 30-yard field goal attempt from Noel Prefontaine to take the 1-0 lead.
On their first possession the Als proceeded to go two-and-out as QB Tanner Marsh (filling in for an injured Anthony Calvillo) could get nothing going following a big sack from Argos Safety Matt Black on second down.
After a punt from Als K/P Sean Whyte sailed out of bounds, Collaros and company took over at midfield. Collaros found WR Dontrelle Inman on a crossing route and after a broken tackle, Inman found running room and took the rock 56-yards to the redzone almost entirely on yards after the catch (YAC).
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VIDEO: Chiles 34-Yard TD |
Again, the Argos special teams unit could not convert, as a botched snap forced QB and place holder Trevor Harris to pick up the ball and run. He fell just short, getting tackled at the 3 yard line.
With the Argos Defence coming to play on Tuesday, they once again forced the Als to punt due to a sack on second down.
On the next drive, the Boatmen finally found the endzone after Collaros found WR John Chiles all alone in the Alouettes secondary. An acrobatic diving catch from Chiles, and the Argos jumped ahead 8-0.
Once again, the Alouettes would take the field backed up in their own territory but this time the Montreal offence found its groove. Marsh found WR SJ Green on a crossing route who turned upfield with force looking for pay dirt.
Just when it appeared the Als had their first score of the game, Argonauts DB Jamie Robinson caught up to the streaking Green and punched the ball out from behind. LB Ricardo Colclough eventually recovered the loose ball.
The Argos could not use the turnover to their advantage and punted the ball away.
Monreal finally got on the board in the second quarter after Whyte connected on a chip shot field goal bringing the score to 8-3.
Once again, the injury bug would strike the Boatmen as a horse collar tackle from LB Chip Cox on Collaros forced him from the game passing the QB reins to Edinboro alumnus Trevor Harris. Collaros returned for the Argos next series.
Harris went two-and-out on his first series giving the Alouettes decent field position on their ensuing drive.
Marsh lead the Als down field and from the redzone delivered a laser to former Argos WR Arland Bruce III for the major and the Birds first lead of the game at 10-8.
The next big play came courtesy of the Als defensive unit as LB Marc-Olivier Brouillette stripped Collaros of the football. LB Shea Emery was the first to find the football, scooping it up and running it back for the defensive TD and the 17-8 lead into the half.
The second half started just how the doctor ordered for the Double Blue as Matt Black intercepted Marsh on their first possession to swing some momentum in favour of the Boatmen.
On the ensuing possession Montreal stole the momentum right back as DB Billy Parker intercepted Collaros on a deep shot to SB Jason Barnes.
Both teams exchanged stunted drives for the remainder of the third quarter until Collars finally started to find his groove once again.
Finding Chiles for multiple strikes in the open filed the Argos marched into Als territory until disaster struck and derailed the Argos.
Going for extra yardage on a crossing route, Montreal forced a fumble from WR Dontrelle Inman. While the play was called dead, upon review the ruling on the field was overturned by the booth. Als football.
The Als extended their lead on that possession to 20-8 with a Sean Whyte 14-yard field goal.
After the Argos tacked on a punt single to make the score 20-9, the Als would run out the clock for the remainder of the game and take the first game of the home-and-home series.
The Argos travel to Montreal this Sunday to complete the second game of the home-and-home series.