The Toronto Argonauts battled back from an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Ottawa REDBLACKS 23-20. The late surge by the Argos propels them to 8-4 and keeps them ahead in the East with two weeks left in the regular season.
By virtue of Montreal’s 31-21 loss to Winnipeg on Saturday Night dropping them to 6-6. A win by Toronto next week at home against Hamilton will secure them the Eastern Division crown and a bye in the first week of the playoffs.
Args Survive Another Scare
The Argonauts had their fair share of struggles throughout Saturday’s game with the Redblacks. The Double Blue turned the football over four times, once on a missed field goal return inside their own ten-yard line. The team also had to endure a 100-yard kick return by DeVonte Dedmon to start the third quarter. But thanks to the Boatmen’s defence, which only allowed six points on those turnovers and which limited Devlin Hodges to only 90 yards passing in his CFL debut. Toronto was able to rally late.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for 293 yards but struggled mightily with three interceptions. Bethel-Thompson was able to salvage his day and set the Boatmen’s ship on the right course by leading the Argos on a game-tying drive to even the score at 20-20, after a TD pass to Kurleigh Gittens, and a two-point conversion to DaVaris Daniels. Thompson then got the Argos into field goal range for a go-ahead 50-yard field goal by Boris Bede in the 4th quarter.
Boris Bede was once again a likely hero this week, connecting on all five of his field goals for the second week in a row. But an unlikely hero emerged in this game for Toronto, in RB AJ Ouellette. Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained by John White and with DJ Foster inactive. AJ Ouellette was called into action and he delivered with several big runs. Ouellette finished the game with 14 carries for 107 yards.
Toronto’s defence kept the Redblacks out of the end zone in the second half. After watching Ottawa RB Timothy Flanders run for over 80 yards in the first half. The Boatmen’s defence stiffened up in the second half. DE Cordarro Law stepped up mightily in the second half for the Argos, registering two sacks and a forced fumble.
Despite the competitive showing by Ottawa, the REDBLACKS fall to 2-11 on the season. They will be off in Week 15 before finishing the season at Montreal in Week 16.
Toronto (8-4), head back home to face Hamilton (7-5) at BMO Field on Friday evening. The Argos and Ti-Cats will be meeting for the fourth time this season. The stakes can’t get any higher in Week 15 with the East up for grabs. The Argos lead the season series 2-1 and are undefeated at home this year, but a loss to the Tiger-Cats could shift the East back to the 2019 divisional champs. An Argos win secures the East and a home game in the East Final on December 5th.
