ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – Going into Saturday Night Football action, the Argos sat at 1-3 but headed to Saskatchewan with a game against the only team they have beaten in 2014.
Dwight Anderson made his return to Mosaic Stadium following a trade in week 3 while the injuries continued to mount for the Boatmen as WR John Chiles was ruled out close to kick-off due to an injury suffered in practice earlier in the week.
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Related: Argos vs. Riders |
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Chiles joined receivers Chad Owens, Andre Durie, Jason Barnes and Terrell Sinkfiled on the sideline, while RB Steve Slaton was also placed on the one-game injured list, leaving Curtis Steele and Jeremiah Johnson to carry the rock.
Injuries to the offence would be felt as the Argos struggled all game to find a their groove.
The Riders won the toss but deferred and the Argos took the ball to open the game and the wind.
However, after a nice return by Curtis Steele, Ricky Ray’s first pass of the night was picked off by Tyron Brackenridge. The first INT on the night for Ray, but not the last.
Darian Durant and the Riders did not waste the opportunity as Durant called his own number and weaved his way into the endzone on a QB run. Quickly 7-0 Riders.
Saskatchewan continued to steal momentum as on the Argos next drive, the Riders stripped Ray of the ball during a sack. Initially the play was ruled down, but after a challenge by Riders Coach Corey Chamberlain, the call was overturned and the ball given to the guys in green.
They would capitalize again as RB Will Ford (who was just signed by the Riders) found a hole and ran untouched into the Argos endzone for the very early 14-0 lead.
The Boatmen then got a turnover of their own as LB Jamie Robinson swatted a Durant pass on a blitz and the fluttering football was intercepted by DL Thaddeus Gibson for his first CFL INT.
Jeremiah Johnson picked up a first down but the Argos could not convert for the major as Ray overthrew SB Anthony Coombs in the end zone. K/P Swayze Waters came on to kick and converted the 17-yard FG to cut the lead to 14-3.
The Argos got the ball back but again could only muster a field goal. Ray found Coombs for a big pick up but a second down throw to Maurice Mann was not enough for a first down. Waters connected on the field goal to bring the score to 14-6.
End of the first quarter and the Argos stabilize after a disastrous start.
Will Ford would find the endzone again after a big pick up by WR Taj smith put the Riders at the goal line. Ford plunged through the pile and extended their lead to 21-6.
Ford was not done there as on the next Riders possession he found the endzone for a third time, now 28-6.
That is how the half ended as the Argos looked to re-group for the final two frames.
Saskatchewan continued to pile on the takeaways in the second half as the Riders continued to pressure Ray under centre making it impossible for him to find open receivers with any kind of timing.
The Riders lead ballooned over the course of the second half with a trio of field goals from Milo.
Ray and Co. could not match or stage the comeback as all they mustered was a field goal from the leg of Waters. Finishing the game with five turnovers the Argos never could recover from a slow start.
Falling to 1-4, the Argos will travel to Montreal for a Friday Night Football showdown with the Alouettes.