When he caught the swing pass from Nick Arbuckle there was a pathway to the end zone. As he neared the goal line there was one problem, Terrell Bonds of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was closing in, and fast.
In Kevin Mital’s mind, the best way to avoid the would-be tackler was to go over him like he was jumping a hurdle, and he pulled it off without breaking stride.
It was an incredibly memorable way to score his CFL first touchdown, a 17-yard romp that broke a third quarter tie and gave the Argos the lead for good in a 41-24 win in the 111th Grey Cup.
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Now that he’s broken the ice with his first touchdown and won a championship ring, Mital has another goal in mind; to increase his playing time and become a more vital component in the team’s offensive attack.
If the first day of training camp was any indication, it will be an easy decision for the coaches as Mital was arguably the best player on the field.
The Argos selected Mital with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 CFL Draft, never dreaming the Laval product would still be available. But it was a tough first training camp for the Montreal native, despite catching a pass for an 82-yard touchdown in the pre-season game at Guelph against Hamilton. He was hurt in rookie camp, then again at the end of training camp, started the season on the six-game injured list, and finished his rookie season with just 18 catches for 201 yards.
He happy that he’s much more comfortable than he was at this time a year ago.
“I’m far (ahead) from last year,” he told Argonauts.ca. “When you come in as a rookie you’ve got to learn a whole new system, especially on offence, and especially at “R” where you have to learn so much, the run stuff, the blocking stuff, you’ve got all of the options. Back in U SPORTS we don’t do all that.
“I had the whole off season to study and look at the playbook from the year before,” continued Mital. “I come here (this year) and I know all the terms, so it’s easier mentally. I just have to be consistent and show that I can play on that field every day.”
So far, so great.
Mital spent this off-season in Quebec City, training with his friends at Laval – who Mital was quick to point out won the Vanier Cup last season – and spending every Friday working with running backs coach Dom Picard, who also lives in Quebec City.
Among the things he worked on with Picard, the proper footwork needed when taking a handoff. It sounds like the simplest thing in the world, but to someone who has been a receiver, it’s not something he’s ever had to think about.
In fact, Mital stayed on the field at the end of Monday’s practice working on handoffs with rookie quarterback Tucker Horn.
The 6’1” receiver told Argonauts.ca that by the Grey Cup game his weight had ballooned to 234 pounds – which makes his touchdown hurdle even more impressive – but last week he weighed in at camp at a lean 220.
“He’s lost 15 pounds and you can see he’s running (better),” head coach Ryan Dinwiddie explained to Argonauts.ca. “That was our thing with him last year, we had to get him a little bit lighter so he could push vertically down the field and catch those down the field routes. Last year he was more of a ball in hand guy, so I think he’s going to have some more tools in his toolbox this year.”
Receivers coach Pete Costanza had some fun when talking about the leaner Mital.
“When he runs a skinny post, now it is truly skinny,” he said after the well-placed line. “You can tell the difference with his weight loss. He still has the quickness, even a little bit more. His agility is better, he’s running better in the routes. He’s still going to be strong, but losing the weight definitely has helped.”
It wasn’t like Mital was living on cheeseburgers and chips last year, he was a solid 234 pounds. He gained the weight to play the “R” position, which means that at times he has to line up as a running back and take on defensive linemen as a part of pass protection.
“I was included with all the running stuff last year, so I had to add a couple of pounds to make sure I could handle the big guys in the box,” he said with a smile. “Right now I feel lighter on my feet. I can run and that’s great.”
It gives the Argos flexibility in determining which seven positions will have Canadians starting there. If one assumes that at least three offensive linemen, at least two recievers, and the weakside linebacker spots are penned in for Canadians, it means the team has flexibility to start another Canadian somewhere else, potentially meaning three starting receivers, as Mital, Dejon Brissett, Dave Ungerer III, along with newcomer Hergy Mayala, are all capable of starting.
“We could do it, but we don’t have to do it,” explained Dinwiddie when asked if a trio of starting Canuck pass catchers is a possibility. “We don’t go into the ratio too much yet, you never want to get too far ahead of yourself, but we feel good about our receiving corps.”
And with that group, heighted by the new-look Mital, it could be a stronger possibility than anyone planned heading into the season.
ARGO NOTES: First round draft pick Jeremiah Ojo was on the field Monday wearing number 74, though that may change after the next round of cuts on Wednesday. Equipment manager Danny Webb confirmed that no veterans switched numbers this season…Coach Dinwiddie halted practice at 11:30, 15 minutes earlier than was on the schedule. He praised the players for having a good day and getting their work done…After being dismissed by the coach, the linemen headed off the field quickly as it was their day for a mandatory weight room session, while quarterbacks and receivers stayed on the field for several minutes getting additional work done…Perhaps the best play of the day and the best non-play of the day happened on the same play. Receiver Dontay Demus was streaking down the right sideline during a one-on-one drill, covered stride for stride by Donald Rutledge. Demus reached out with one hand and snagged the ball, bringing it tight to his body, then falling to the ground battling for the ball with Rutledge. But when the two stood up it was Rutledge hanging on to the ball…Dejon Brissett and Deonte McMahon each caught deep passes for TDs during the “skelly” session. A back shoulder throw by Nick Arbuckle was caught by Jake Herslow, who high pointed the ball in front of a defender, bringing cheers from his offensive teammates….During the full scrimmage, Cameron Dukes threw a perfect deep ball to a streaking Damonte Coxie…Jarrett Martin had the best defensive play during the scrimmage, jumping a route and diving forward for a low pass, getting both hands underneath it and bringing it in for an interception. He quickly sprung to his feet and likely would have gone the distance for a pick six…Receivers spent much of the individual teaching sessions working on their blocking. “You’ve got to be a complete receiver to play,” said Pete Costanza. “We tell our guys that you’ve got to be willing to get your nose bloodied, and if you’re not a willing blocker and a willing combatant, you probably won’t play much in our offence.” …Tuesday is the Argos annual Celebration Day, a one-day ticket sale. Use the code https://www.gofevo.com/group/2025argos?ref=MikeHogan and save up to 50% off tickets to one of three games at BMO Field. The code is valid Tuesday ONLY.