ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
VANCOUVER – Coming off the biggest single-game collapse in franchise history in Week 12, the Toronto Argonauts were hungry for a win Friday in BC. Following a high-tempo week of practice, Coach Milanovich had his squad focused on the task at hand following a tremendous week of practice in Calgary. The Lions, winners of five of their last six games, have been playing historically good defence in 2014. Having allowed the fewest points in the CFL, their 194 passing-yards-allowed per game average is the lowest the league has seen in 34 years.
The game marked the return of SB Chad Owens, who had been out since suffering a lower body injury against Edmonton in Week 9. With both Andre Durie and Owens back in the lineup, the Argos started the game with the closest resemblance of their regular starting offence that they have worked with since Week 2.
The defence got off to the start they were hoping for. Despite a few early pass interference penalties, newly acquired DB Alex Suber sparked the Double Blue by picking off a QB Kevin Glenn pass on the first drive of the game.
As he has all season, K/P Swayze Waters chipped in on the scoreboard. A 65-yard punt at 10:21 in the first quarter put the Boatmen on the board 1-0. He followed it up with a career-long 53-yard field goal at 6:01 to push the early lead to 4-0.
Chad Owens was the focal point on offence early, thrown to in four of the first six pass plays. He also took over punt returning duties, an area in which the Argos have been searching for a boost in recent weeks.
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Related: Week 13 |
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Play-action passes were Ricky Ray’s friend early, as the BC defensive line was routinely fooled by fake handoffs, creating space for short throws to RB Steve Slaton and Durie. Toronto capitalized on the draw once again at 14:40 of the 2nd quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass to WR Lavon Brazill. Waters added the conversion to put the Boatmen up 11-0.
Paul McCallum, the league-leader in kicking points, missed a 48-yard field goal. DB Brendan Smith didn’t take any chances and took a knee to concede BC’s first point. 4-1 Toronto at 11:18 in the 2nd quarter.
Ricky Ray sure missed Chad Owens. Moments later, Ray connected with the Flyin’ Hawaiian on a 38-yard touchdown pass, giving Toronto a 17-1 lead and another great start. On that same pass play, Ray passed Ron Lancaster and moved into 5th all-time on the CFL career passing yards list.
Glenn responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass to his own top receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux at 6:56, followed by a McCallum conversion. 18-8 Argos.
McCallum had a rough half. After the teams traded drives in the latter half of the quarter, he missed his second straight field goal to start the game, this one from 43-yards out.
On the flip side, Waters continued to be arguably the most consistent Argonaut this season, drilling a 45-yarder with 13 seconds left in the half to complete the six-point swing. 21-9 Argonauts going into halftime.
Owens started the second half off with a scare, going down with an apparent lower body injury minutes into the third quarter. However, he walked off the field under his own power. He would later return.
For the first time in weeks, the Argos got production from their rushing attack. With the Lions visibly bracing themselves for Ray’s diverse passing game, Slaton took a handoff for 29 yards for the score. Waters hit the conversion to extend the lead to 28-9 at 9:33 in the third quarter.
Defence was the dominant factor for both teams for the rest of the quarter, as the score remained 28-9 heading into the fourth. The Argos, well aware of the last time they had a sizeable halftime lead, were keeping up the momentum.
BC got a lucky break minutes into the fourth quarter when Glenn was dragged into the endzone during a sack, fumbled the ball, which was recovered by DL Delano Johnson for what could have been a defensive touchdown. However, the play was not reviewable and the Argonauts were penalized for a delay of game after asking the referees for an explanation. The Lions conceded the safety on the following play. 30-9 Boatmen.
The Lions found life midway through the final quarter, as Glenn found rookie receiver Bryan Burnham for a 12-yard touchdown pass to bring the Lions within two scores. 30-16 Boatmen with 8:18 remaining.
When in doubt, you can always count on Swayze. At 4:42 Waters drilled a 50-yarder to give Toronto some extra breathing room. 33-16 Argos.
The Lions put together a late drive capitalized by a Glenn QB sneak touchdown with 1:49 left. McCallum hit the conversion to bring the score to 33-23.
BC was unable to convert the attempted onside kick and the Argos would take over with great field position. After a few first downs running the ball, RB Curtis Steele eventually found a hole up the middle and broke a run to the end zone bringing the Argos lead to 40-23 and sealing the victory.
With the win the Boatmen improved to 4-8 and reclaimed first in the East division heading into the bye week.