Finally.
For the first time in 307 days, the Toronto Argonauts will host a game at BMO Field when they entertain the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday.
The seven game road trip is well-documented, with the team compiling a 3-4 record on their journey. It’s not ideal, but the team let winnable games in Hamilton and Winnipeg slip away, likewise their season opener in Montreal where they led after three quarters.
Being a game under .500 after the trip isn’t ideal, but the club was tantalizingly close to being above sea level over that stretch.
For Mike Miller, Thursday will finally give the rookie head coach a chance to perform in front of a home crowd.
“We’re very excited to move back to BMO,” Miller told Argonauts.ca. “For everybody to get back into their homes and be with family, but we have a game to play and we’ve had a good week of preparations.”
While some players, coaches, and staff made the commute to their GTA homes, most stayed in Guelph, including Miller. He’s spent all but a handful of nights in his dorm room during training camp, or an apartment after the season started, though his accommodations in the Royal City didn’t really matter.
“At this time of year, if I’m not sleeping, I’m at the office.”
The extended post-training camp time at the University of Guelph allowed the coaching staff to spend even more time at the office than usual. It allowed them to get to know their players well, both on and off the field.
“I’m encouraged by our team’s veteran leadership,” said the coach. “I’m encouraged by how we’ve handled adversity. I’m pleased with our mindset that we’re process driven and we’re about learning, and growing, and getting better.”
Miller is happy with where his team’s headspace is, but what about the on-field performance in a seemingly never-ending string of road games? He’s been happy that his group has bought into the tenets of his coaching philosophy; playing smart, fast, and physical.
“I believe we’re a team that plays hard for four quarters, and that we play with a passion to compete,” he said. “It’s their resolve, their understanding that the situation doesn’t matter. What matters is our execution, our preparation, that we work hard together; that we’re there for each other and celebrate together and we’re going to pick each other up when it doesn’t go that well.”
Miller often communicates to the media in coach speak, but it’s the same messages he’s been preaching to his players since the first day of training camp. They’ve responded, though the record probably isn’t where it would/could/should be.
But when looking at the big picture, Miller is realistic when asked where the team is on the learning curve right now.
“Probably right where we’re supposed to be. We’re going into game eight and this is an 18-game season, and we know that we’re continuing to build the foundations. I like that we continue to push each other in practice; we compete and it’s been relentless. When it’s time to work, this team works very hard.”
Guelph is now in the rearview mirror. Miller was highly complementary of the people there that worked hard to keep the Argos pulling together. From the liaisons to the cafeteria staff, the coach emphasized that he wanted to once again thank them publicly.
At long last, all the attention is on BMO Field, where the Argos are 30-13 since returning from the lost 2020 season. It’s a chance to hear the crowd drown out the opponent’s offence, and to provide his team with energy they can feed off.
“We’re in our own locker room and noise shouldn’t be a factor (when the Argos have the ball). We love our fans; they’re very supportive and very passionate. They give us that energy that we feed off. So, let’s go out there and try to get a win in our first game back at BMO Field.”
Kickoff time Thursday is 7:30.