Johany Jutras
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts got some positive momentum on their side with a 21-11 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers to spoil the debut of Dominque Davis.
The win snapped a three-game skid for Toronto and was the final contest the team will play at Rogers Centre as they team moves to BMO Field next season.
In the team’s final tuneup before the playoffs, Ricky Ray played the first quarter before backup Trevor Harris took over duties under centre. The Argos were resting many of their regular starters in the season finale.
The Argos played with a sense of urgency from their opening drive as Anthony Coombs brought the team past midfield. Justin Palardy connected on a 47-yard field goal to give the Argos the early 3-0 lead.
Davis, making his first career start under centre, began the game with consecutive three-and-outs. Ray and the Argos offence took over again and rushes by Curtis Steele brought Toronto into field goal range. Palardy’s second attempt of the game went wide and it was brought out of the end zone.
A 32-yard gain by ex-Argo Darvin Adams moved the Bombers into scoring territory where they would get on the board courtesy of a 30-yard field goal by Sergio Castillo as the first quarter came to a close.
Chad Kackert, playing his first game in over a month, had a 21-yard gain as the Argos continued to push downfield. Dave Stala caught his first touchdown pass since 2012 off a 13-yard pass as the Argos’ lead grew to 9-3 as Palardy missed the extra point.
The Argonauts next drive saw Trevor Harris come in under centre for the Boatmen. He connected with Diontae Spencer on a 46-yard grab that moved Toronto into the red zone before Palardy booted a 33-yard field goal.
The Bombers cut into the lead, scoring a single off a missed field goal by Palardy as the Argos still led 12-4.
Harris and the Argos nearly added to their lead as they approached the end zone but he was picked off by Matt Bucknor on the goal line.
Davis looked more comfortable as the game proceeded and it showed as he connected with Nick Moore on a big gain downfield. The Bombers drive ended at the half time whistle but not before Castillo booted a 48-yard field goal to cut the lead to 12-7.
The second half opened with Harris still in at quarterback and a 24-yard rush by Kackert. Toronto was forced to punt but earned a single off the 59-yard kick.
A series of short rushes by Davis was capped off by a 38-yard field goal from Castillo as the Bombers trailed 13-10.
Toronto opened its next drive with a 55-yard reception by Phil Bates followed by a Spencer 16-yard gain which moved the Argos to the goal line. Stala then snagged his second touchdown of the game as the Argos lead grew to 20-10. They would add a single on their next drive.
Davis used a series of short passes to pace the Bombers downfield but could not get close to the end zone again as the Bombers were forced to settle for a single after Castillo missed a field goal.
Looking for a spark in their comeback attempt, Matt Nichols entered the game for the Bombers. Rory Kohlert fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Travis Hawkins as the Argos gained instant field position. Curtis Steele rushed for six yards and a fresh set of downs in the final moments to help run out the clock for the Argos.
Davis finished his first start with 169 passing yards on 16-of-25 attempts and 34 rushing yards.
At halftime, Toronto honoured ex-Argo and current Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea by naming him an all-time Argonaut. O’Shea won three Grey Cups with the Boatmen.
The Argos now await to see who they will face in the East Semi-Finals while the Bombers end their season on a losing note.
Milanovich announces Ray will start East Semi-Final
Argos head coach Scott Milanovich announced after the game that Ricky Ray will be the starting quarterback in the East Semi-Final.
Milanovich announces Ricky Ray will start for #Argos in the East semi-final #CFL
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) November 7, 2015
The team will visit either the Ottawa REDBLACKS or Hamilton Tiger-Cats next week.
