Argonauts.ca Staff
TORONTO – The Argos returned to the gridiron for a preseason tilt against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday, hosting a match at historic Varsity Stadium for the third year in a row. Undefeated in preseason action during Scott Milanovich’s reign as head coach, the Boatmen looked to extend their streak while ensuring that each player receives reps for evaluation purposed.
The Double Blue got off to a hot start in the first quarter, as DL Tracy Robertson stripped the ball from QB Drew Willy on an early drive, resulting in DL Martez Wilson recovering the fumble. The Argos would reward their defence minutes later with a three-yard Curtis Steele touchdown run to put Toronto up 6-0. Kicker Andrew Muzljakovich missed the convert. K/P Swayze Waters didn’t dress for the game.
Later in the frame Steele fumbled, which resulted in a 20-yard field goal by Bombers rookie Anthony Santella, putting the Blue Bombers on the board at the end the quarter. Toronto finished the first frame with a slim 6-3 lead over Winnipeg.
QB Trevor Harris got the start Toronto with Ricky Ray still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The fourth-year Argo had an efficient first quarter, completing five of eight passes for 61 yards.
QB Logan Kilgore took over the reigns under centre in the second but got off to a rough start, underthrowing WR Vidal Hazelton on a deep sideline toss, resulting in an interception by DB Teague Sherman. The ensuing drive resulted in a 44-yard field goal from Santella, tying the game 3:59 into the second.
Kilgore’s troubles continued in the second quarter, overthrowing WR Kevin Elliott and delivering the ball into the arms of DB Dominique Franks, who returned the interception 28 yards to give the Bombers solid field position with less than two minutes in the half. Bombers QB Robert Marve took full advantage, capping off a three-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to SB Lavasier Tunei to give the Bombers a 12 – 6 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
A fumble on the ensuing kickoff return by WR Diontae Spencer once again offered the Bombers advantageous field positon, but with less than 30 seconds on the clock Santella was forced to attempt a 44-yard field goal, resulting in a rouge and a 13-6 Winnipeg lead at the half.
The Argonauts made another QB change at the half, sending out Mitchell Gale to start the third quarter. After a three and out by the Bombers, a four-play drive by the Argos resulted in a booming 62-yard punt single by Muzljakovich. Winnipeg then embarked on a four-play, 52-yard drive which was highlighted by a pair of big rushes from Marve, including a 21-yard dash up the middle for a touchdown.
Needing a response down 20 – 7, Gale found six-foot-four WR Tori Gurley for a 45-yard completion down the middle, before finishing the drive himself with a one-yard plunge for the score. Muzljakovich would convert the extra point to cut the deficit to six.
Not content to sit on such a small lead, the Bombers provided the game’s next score, as RB Carlos Anderson took a Muzljakovich punt 93 yards to the house for the major, re-establishing a 13-point Bombers lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bombers made a swap at QB heading into the final frame, giving former Argonaut Josh Portis an opportunity to prove his worth. Portis did just that, leading the Bombers on a 68-yard touchdown drive which was capped off by a one-yard dash by RB Cameron Marshall.
Down 20 with less than ten minutes to go in the game, Gale once again went to work, driving the Argos down the field in an attempt to cut into the lead. The Argos capitalized on a pair of great catches by Gurley and former U of T Varsity Blue WR Kevin Bradfield, as Gale once again found the end zone on a one-yard run. After a failed two-point conversion, Toronto trailed by 14.
After a strong stand by the Argos D, Gale once again took the reins, and needed just 48 seconds to find Gurley for a 72-yard score, cutting the deficit to just seven. Another three-and-out by the Bombers gave Toronto a chance to tie the game with just over a minute left, but a sack on third and ten sealed the 34 – 27 win for Winnipeg. Gale finished the game 13 of 20 passing for 242 yards and a score while adding five yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Several Argos rookies turned in solid performances in their debuts, including Gurley, who finished the game with seven catches for 188 yards and a touchdown. RB Henry Josey also logged a lot of minutes, finishing the game with seven touches for 48 yards from scrimmage.
Fortunately for the Argonauts, the loss won’t count in the standings, and the game will provide the coaching staff with plenty of film to evaluate. With the first round of cuts due in just five days, the focus of GM Jim Barker and his coaches now moves to deciding who deserves another chance to prove himself, and who will head home.
The Argonauts will head on the road next week for the final preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes next Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 pm.