The Toronto Argonauts handed the BC Lions their first loss of the 2016 season on Thursday, earning a rare road victory at BC Place with a 25-14 victory. A solid all-around defensive performance from the Double Blue and six field goals from K/P Lirim Hajrullahu led the way for the Argos.
QB Jonathon Jennings opened the scoring for the Lions with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter, diving into the end zone from a yard out after a spectacular catch from WR Manny Arceneaux came up just short. Jennings’ pass attempt on the two-point conversion went incomplete, thanks to some stifling defence from Argos LB Isaiah Green.
The Argonauts put their first points on the board on the ensuing drive, as Hajrullahu kicked home his sixth straight field goal to start the 2016 season.
With starting RB Jeremiah Johnson out due to injury, Anthony Allen stepped up big time for the Leos, racking up 76 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
RB Andre Durie was a bright spot for the Argos offence early, recording three catches for 56 yards, including a 34-yard catch and run on second-and-25. A nice catch from WR Tori Gurley moved Toronto into striking distance, but they were forced to settle for another field goal from Hajrullahu, tying the game at 6-6.
After allowing the early touchdown to Jennings, the Argo defence shut down the Lions through much of the half, forcing two turnovers and five punts from P Richie Leone.
A third field goal from Hajrullahu gave the Argonauts their first lead of the night with seconds remaining in the quarter, and Toronto headed into half up 9-6.
Toronto’s defence carried their strong play into the third quarter, forcing the Lions to punt for the fifth straight series. The following drive saw Ray hook up with Gurley on another long conversion, but again the Argonauts struggled as they got closer to the end zone, and would settle for Hajrullahu’s fourth field goal of the game.
It wouldn’t be long before Ray and the Argos’ offence was back on the field, as big-time off-season acquisition Keon Raymond recorded his first interception in Double Blue, picking off a floater from Jennings in the middle of the field.
Again it was Hajrullahu for the Argonauts, kicking home his fifth field goal of the game to put Toronto up 15-6 midway through the third quarter.
Disappointed with their offensive output, the Lions made a switch at pivot, hoping that 2011 MOP Travis Lulay could provide a spark coming off the bench.
But the Double Blue defence stood tall, forcing yet another Leone punt.
Not content with their nine-point lead, the Argos offence finally found the finish they’d been lacking all game long, as Ray found Gurley in the back corner of the end zone for the games first touchdown since the first quarter.
As if inspired by Gurley’s score, the Lions offence roared to life, and Anthony Allen capped a solid BC drive by battering his way into the end zone. A successful two point conversion by BC cut the Argos’ lead to 22-14, but the ever efficient Ricky Ray led Toronto on a clock-killing drive capped by another Hajrullahu field goal.
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The Toronto defence troubled the Lions offence all night, forcing four turnovers and four sacks on the night.
Both running backs put up impressive stat lines in this one, as Allen and Whitaker both recorded over 100 yards from scrimmage. Tori Gurley led all receivers with five catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.
The Argonauts will now head home after an extended trip out west, where they’ll host the East Division-leading Ottawa REDBLACKS in a rare Wednesday night matchup.
The Lions will head to Saskatchewan, where they’ll look to get back into the win column against the the Roughriders.