Toronto Argonauts Return Home to Host Winnipeg Blue Bombers

After winning their second straight game against the Ottawa Redblacks, the Toronto Argonauts will look to continue their strong play against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night.

Considering the tough injuries the Toronto Argonauts have suffered on both offence and defence, they should be pleased with their 4-2 record. Their latest victory came against quarterback Henry Burris and the Ottawa Redblacks, where the Argos defence held Burris to 218 yards and two interceptions.

The Argos also had quarterback Logan Kilgore make his CFL debut, taking over for Ricky Ray who injured his knee two weeks ago against the Montreal Alouettes. Kilgore went 25/42 for 322 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the win thanks to five field goals, including one from 53 yards out by kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.

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What has been a big story for the Argos this season is the emergence of receiver Kenny Shaw, who had six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against Ottawa. Shaw leads all Argos receivers with 430 yards receiving as a second-year receiver.

With injuries to Kevin Elliot, Tori Gurley, and the departure of Chad Owens, the Argos have had to rely on Shaw and Vidal Hazelton to carry the workload offensively, combining for over 700 yards.

Kilgore will have to be careful against the Bombers defence who forced six turnovers in their last win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Winnipeg has not turned over the ball offensively the past two weeks so it is up to the Argos defence, who have improved with new defensive coordinator Rich Stubler, to give the offence a chance to win.

“Our defence needs to keep us from getting in a spot where [our team] has to win the game for us and they did that (against Ottawa),” said head coach Scott Milanovich. “By the second half he was playing really good football when we needed him to have him in the fourth quarter and his confidence was high”.

The Argos will be without Hazelton and lineman Greg Van Roten who both suffered ankle injuries. The team will get receiver Diontae Spencer and defensive tackle Brian Buckle back from injury, however.

With tall receivers Hazelton, Elliott and Gurley out, the Argos will have to make adjustments offensively considering their lack of size. This means that the Argos will have to rely on speed, and the ability to run after the catch rather than airing out a pass and hoping for a receiver to come up with it. It could also mean more rushing attempts from Brandon Whitaker who is averaging 67.5 rushing yards per game. Winnipeg is hoping that quarterback Matt Nichols can continue his hot streak with 641 yards passing, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games .

In their last ten games against Winnipeg, Toronto is 8-2 with a 4-1 record at home. The team will look to improve to their record this season to 5-2, especially with Ottawa and Hamilton right behind them in the standings. Zach Collaros makes his return for Hamilton and if he returns to his dominant form before his ACL injury the Argos will have some tough competition in the East.