Ricky Ray (15) and Edmonton Eskimos head coach Jason Maas after the game against the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB. Saturday, November 5, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
EDMONTON – 5,216 days after he made his first career CFL start in the place of an injured Jason Maas, Ricky Ray took to the same field with Maas on the opposing sideline for start No. 200.
On the Argos opening drive, Ray completed 5-of-5 passes for 52 yards, leading the team to an early 7-0 lead. He would finish the game with 252 yards on 24-of-30 passing, adding a touchdown connection with rookie Brian Jones, the first of his CFL career.
James Franklin got the start under centre for the Edmonton Eskimos, throwing for four first-half touchdowns in a Saturday afternoon season finale that saw the Esks come out on top by a score of 41-17.
The Argos chipped their way downfield on the opening drive of the game. Rushes by Brandon Whitaker and first down grabs by Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer brought Toronto into scoring territory. A 13-yard gain by Anthony Coombs was followed by Whitaker punching in his fifth touchdown of the season to give the Argos the early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Toronto attempted a short onside kick but it was recovered by the Eskimos who immediately had good field position. Edmonton took advantage with a 14-yard pickup by Bryant Mitchell and a 28-yard touchdown grab by Zylstra, who tiptoed his way into the end zone on the sideline to tie the game.
A great grab by Natey Adjei after a third-and-one sneak by Franklin kept the drive alive for the Eskimos. He found Zylstra wide open at midfield and connected for a 46-yard gain and quickly followed that with 16-yard reception. A dump pass to Shakir Bell found the end zone and put Edmonton up 14-7 early in the second quarter.
Edmonton continued to add to its lead while shutting down Ray and the Argos offence. It didn’t take long for Franklin to find Devon Bailey deep downfield, who ran untouched 72 yards to the end zone for another Esks touchdown as Edmonton increased their lead to 21-7.
After stopping the Argos again, Franklin continued to find his receivers for big receptions. A 39-yard gain by Mitchell and a 17-yard catch by Adjei put the Esks into the red zone. From there, Zylstra caught his second major of the game for Franklin’s fourth touchdown pass of the first half and a 28-7 lead.
Looking to cut into the deficit, Ray hooked up with Coombs for back to back first down gains. The Boatmen got stuck at midfield and a Lirim Hajrullahu punt pinned the Esks deep in their own zone. Toronto’s offence started to click on its next possession as Ray scrambled to find Shaw for a 30-yard gain. Ray found Brian Jones in the end zone for the rookie’s first career touchdown and cut the score to 28-14 at the half.
Ray used a series of short passes to march the Argos downfield to open up the second half. After a Almondo Sewell sack on the quarterback, Hajrullahu booted a 29-yard field goal as Toronto chipped away at the Esks’ 28-17 lead.
The Esks combined a return from Troy Stoudermire and a 40-yard reception by Zylstra to move the chains into scoring territory but only managed a field goal, a 41-yarder from Sean Whyte to go back up 31-17.
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After the Argos turned the ball over on downs at the end of the third quarter, the Esks made a change under centre as Jordan Lynch took over quarterbacking duties. Zylstra remained a favourite target as Lynch connected with the wideout for an 18-yard gain. A pass to Bell put the Eskimos in field goal range where Whyte was successful again, increasing the Edmonton lead to 34-17.
Edmonton’s defence continued to shut down Ray and the Argos comeback attempt as Sewell recorded his second sack and the Esks fourth of the game. Getting the ball back to Lynch and the offence, Bell burst out for a 37-yard rush before Lynch ran in for another Edmonton touchdown.
Next week, the Esks travel to Tim Hortons Field to crossover and take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Semis while the Argos season comes to a close after the loss.