Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
TORONTO — When the Toronto Argonauts walked off the field after their 34-17 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BMO Field on Friday night, many were quick to point the finger at the young quarterback leading the offence.
Logan Kilgore threw five interceptions in his team’s loss, perhaps showing the inexperience of the 26-year-old filling in for the injured Ricky Ray – after all, it was just the second start of his CFL career.
Yet, even with the amount of turnovers the Argos’ had during the contest, and the troubles that Kilgore was experiencing, head coach Scott Milanovich didn’t put the blame on anyone but himself.
“I know our offence turned it over five times,” Milanovich told Argonauts.ca. “Logan had a tough night but that’s part of being a team, picking people up, and the guys in there understand that. We have to coach better. I’ve got to do a better job of preparing Logan.”
The Argos’ offence had a tough time against the aggressive Winnipeg defence, that included Kevin Fogg, who had two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and Maurice Leggett, who also had two interceptions including one returned for a touchdown.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Argos down 34-10, Cody Fajardo replaced Kilgore under centre. On his first possession of the ball game, Fajardo threw a 34-yard touchdown pass, the first of his CFL career, to Levi Noel cutting the Blue Bombers’ lead to 34-17. Unfortunately for the Boatmen, it was too little too late for a comeback.
After the quarterback switch, Milanovich was quick to halt any thoughts of a quarterback controversy in Toronto.
“I just told him that we were putting Cody in because he (Logan) was getting hit and that’s the only reason. I told him he was starting next week,” said Milanovich. “This is part of what we talked about the other day. This is part of growing as a young quarterback. He doesn’t have the experience that Trevor (Harris) had when he was here and you’re going to have days like this.”
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Logan Kilgore will look to bounce back next week when his team takes on the Edmonton Eskimos (The Canadian Press)
Receiver Diontae Spencer made his return to the field after missing the first six games with an injury. He was Kilgore’s favourite target on the night, making 11 receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown – giving a glimmer of what’s to come between the two in the weeks ahead.
As for what’s next for Kilgore, the most important thing for the quarterback is to find a way learn from his mistakes and simply hit the reset button.
“One of the hardest things to do, and Ricky (Ray) would tell you the same thing, is fighting through an off day,” said Milanovich. “When it’s not going your way, finding a way to still move your team, to still win the game when you’re not having your A-game. It’s a learning experience for him.”
The Argos currently sit second in the East, just one point behind the Ottawa REDBLACKS. If Kilgore can bounce back from his performance in Week 8 when his club takes on the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto will continue to be a contender in their division.
– With files from Argonauts.ca
