Toronto Argonauts Unable to Obtain First Win at BMO Field
With an opportunity to move into top spot in the East, the Toronto Argonauts were unable to execute on chances to pick up their first win at BMO Field.
In a game previewed as the battle of the quarterbacks, it was the former Toronto Argonauts field general who stole the show. Ottawa Redblacks QB Trevor Harris went 28-31 for 392 yards, beating his former team 30-20 at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
The game quickly turned in Ottawa’s favour, after Tristan Jackson returned a punt 76-yards for a touchdown and a 27-20 lead, as they scored 10 points in a span of 90 seconds. Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray finished the game 24-32, for 249 yards and a touchdown pass.
“It is frustrating that we could not keep the momentum going (after winning two straight weeks), we were trending in the right direction, but we were beating ourselves with the penalties and the little details”, head coach Scott Milanovich said after the game.
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Early on, the Argos looked to capitalize on mistakes made by Ottawa, who committed seven penalties for 62 yards in the first quarter. The defence also stepped up, with Shawn Lemon and Justin Hickman getting sacks on back-to-back plays, on what was looking like a promising drive for the Redblacks.
The Argonauts scored their first touchdown of the game on a one-yard run by Anthony Coombs, finishing a 10-play drive for 55 yards. However, after the double blue took an early 13-0 lead, Ottawa came storming back in the second quarter.
Led by receiver Greg Ellingson, the Redblacks were able to cut the lead to 13-10 heading into the half. Harris was 15-18 with 176 yards through 30 minutes, including starting the game 10-for-10.
Vidal Hazelton led the Argonauts with 52 receiving yards, including a highlight reel catch. The defence was able to limit Chris Williams to 37 yards, but that also opened up an opportunity for Ellingson to make an impact.
.@TimHortons @CFL Must See: @Vidal_Hazelton7 lays out to make the catch. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/IlEswcpQ2m
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 14, 2016
Ottawa wasted no time in the second half, with Ellingson torching the Argos defence for 77 yards. This set up a one-yard run by Harris, to give Ottawa a 17-13 lead.
After a big play by Kenny Shaw that Argos were able to regain the lead, on a touchdown pass to Brandon Whitaker. However, they were fortunate an interception in the endzone was overturned, after a penalty for illegal contact on the receiver.
Tristan Jackson (@t_jack38) makes a lot of Argos miss as he returns it 76 yards to the house. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/Pt6XTa8vP3
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) July 14, 2016
It was a night of milestones for Ray, as he passed Danny McManus for fourth on the all-time passing yards list. He also passed former Argonaus QB Damon Allen for second on the team’s all-time passing touchdowns list with 78 – he needs 19 more to pass Condredge Holloway for the record.
Ricky Ray is in some pretty good company. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/W5Rx0ea86g
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) July 13, 2016
Unfortunately for Ray and the Argonauts, Harris was in the process of putting up his fourth straight 300-yard passing game. Although he did not have any touchdown throws in the game, he made several big plays that lead to easy scores.
On the other end, the Argos were unable to execute big plays, which was the major difference. Toronto’s quarterback discussed this with the media after the game.
Ray said: “We did not execute the way we wanted to on certain plays, we let opportunities get away. As a team we need to a better job and focusing on details and give ourselves the best chance to win.”
Scott Milanovich says Tori Gurley came to him before the game &said he couldn't play. Gurley has been dealing with a lower body injury #CFL
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) July 14, 2016
There was frustration from a defensive standpoint, but the message after the game was that it is a marathon and not a sprint. Keon Raymond said: “We have to be able to come in and make plays on defence.
“They are a good group and we have a good group. (However), we will regroup get more film on these guys and their tendencies and be better.”
Even though Lemon got his first sack for the Argonauts, he and the defence needs to do more to turn plays and make it tougher on the offence: “We have a good opportunity with the BYE week coming up to regroup and understand that we have a lot of stuff to clean up.”
.@TorontoArgos attendance at @BMOField is 12,373. Midweek will be a tough sell until they get more weekend dates in coming years #CFLGameDay
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) July 14, 2016
Next: 3 takeaways from the Argonauts loss to the Redblacks
Even though Lemon got his first sack for the Argonauts, he and the defence needs to do more to turn plays and make it tougher on the offence: “We have a good opportunity with the BYE week coming up to regroup and understand that we have a lot of stuff to clean up.”