August 19, 2017

Ray: Our team played really well

Johany Jutras (CFL.ca Photo)

TORONTO — Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray was understandably thrilled with his Toronto Argonauts team’s performance in Saturday’s 38-6 win over the visiting Montreal Alouettes at BMO Field.

“Obviously our team played really well, executed really well, and I felt pretty good out there,” said Ray following his victorious return from injury. “I felt pretty good all week, (and) was getting better every day.”

Ray’s final stat line of 377 pass yards and four touchdowns, along with the Toronto defence’s monstrous effort, was the story of the game on an afternoon where the Argos dominated both sides of the football.

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Boxscore: Toronto 38, Montreal 6

Photos: Montreal at Toronto — Week 9

“In the first half, we did a lot of what we needed to do,” said Ray, whose team staked itself out to a 35-0 half-time lead and never looked back. “We left a lot of good plays out there, made some plays when they were contested, and came out ready to go — we have to continue that.”

One of the Toronto pivot’s favourite targets in Saturday’s win was S.J. Green; the former Montreal Alouette hauled in nine catches for 145 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns en route to a statement win against his old team.

 

 

“He just works hard (and) is a great leader on this team,” said Ray of Green. “I feel great about him when he’s 1-on-1, and it’s great to have him on our team.”

Linebacker Bear Woods, another ex-Alouette, recorded two tackles in the win for the Argos.

“Obviously there’s some closure, but there’s not closure ’til we play them at the very end of the year,” said Woods following Saturday’s win. “We did what we knew we could do; we gave up three (points) to them in the second half last week, so we just focused on doing our job (this week).”

Ray, Woods and the Argos will face a stiff test next Saturday (Aug. 26) in Calgary, where they will pay a visit to the 6-1-1 Stampeders and their West-leading defence. Kick-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at McMahon Stadium.

“This is where a good football team has to become great and win back-to-back games,” said Woods. “We have to continue working hard.”