April 15, 2013

2012: A Record Breaking Season In Double Blue

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – Ricky Ray, Chad Kackert and Chad Owens were big pieces to the puzzle for the Toronto Argonauts 2012 Grey Cup championship season.  Argonauts.ca takes a closer look at the record breaking accomplishments of these three Boatmen.

Record Breaking Ricky

Ricky Ray Toronto Argonauts
Ray’s 81.3% completion rate in week 11 against Hamilton ranks as the 5th best percentage in a single game in Argos histroy.

#15 – QB RICKY RAY

Ray looked like he had something to prove. He led the way in 2012 and gave the Double Blue a clear cut number one quarterback, something the team has been looking for since Damon Allen left the club back in 2005.

The expectations for Ray were exceptionally high with the club hosting the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre and he delivered with a record breaking season.

He broke the Argos’ passing percentage record in a single season, connecting on 68.6% of his passes in 2012. Kerwin Bell, the club’s quarterback back in 1998, previously held the record with a 67.3 completion percentage.  Ray was helped by his 81.3% game in week 11, the 5th highest all-time for a single game by an Argonauts quarterback.

Ray also put himself into the Argos record book with his performance in the 100th Grey Cup that now sees his name beside such Double Blue greats as Doug Flutie, Damon Allen, Condredge Holloway and Matt Dunigan.

Ray’s Argonaut Records in 2013:

  1. Highest pass completion percentage in a single Argonauts regular season game (68.6%)
  2. 5th highest Argonauts single game completion percentage with 81.3% vs. Hamilton in week 11
  3. Tied for 2nd most passing touchdowns in an Argonauts Grey Cup game
  4. 4th most passes attempted in an Argonauts Grey Cup game
  5. 4th most passes completed in an Argonauts Grey Cup game

 

#44 – RB CHAD KACKERT

After week 6, Chad Kackert was handed the reins to the Argos backfield and he was extremely versatile, catching 23 passes for 212 yards over the remainder of 2013.

His best game of the season came during the Grey Cup where he ran 20 times for 133 yards, shattering the Boatmen’s record of 128 held by both Robert Drummond and Gill Fenerty for a Grey Cup game.  It was this dominant performance that helped the “Kack Attack” earn Grey Cup MVP honours.

Kackert’s Argonauts Grey Cup Game Records:

  1. Most rushing attempts in a Grey Cup game (20)
  2. Most rushing yards in a Grey Cup game (133 yards)

 

#2 – WR/KR CHAD OWENS

Finally, let’s not forget about Chad Owens, the heart and soul of the Boatmen.

Owens broke the team record for most combined yards in one regular season held by Michael “Pinball” Clemons with an astounding 3,863 yards.

Record Breaking Ricky

Chad Owens Toronto Argonauts
Owens’ 1,328 receiving yards was good for tops in the CFL, the first time an Argonaut lead the league in this category since Derrell Mitchell in 1997.

But let’s take a step back in time for a second…

During his first season with the Argos, Owens amassed over 2,352 yards including 1,216 yards on kick returns.

In his second season with the club, Owens put up 576 receiving yards including three touchdowns. In addition, he gained 1,750 yards on kick returns and another 754 yards from punt returns including taking two back for touchdowns.

Owens was a man on a mission after the team finished the 2011 season with the 6-12 record.

During the 2012 season, Owens quickly found chemistry with new quarterback Ricky Ray. Owens finished the season with 94 receptions for 1,328 receiving yards (to lead the CFL) and added 1,588 yards, 828 on punt returns and 94 yards on missed field goal returns.

Owens Argonauts Records in 2013:

  1. Most combined yards during a season in Pro Football History (3,863)
  2. Most kickoff returns during an Argonauts playoff run (10 returns)
  3. Most kickoff returns yards during an Argonauts playoff run (241 yards)
  4. 2nd Most kickoff returns as an Argo (197)
  5. 3rd Most punt returns as an Argo (232)
  6. 4th Most total kick return yards in an Argonauts season with 2,530 yards. He holds the record set back in 2011 with 2,701 yards.