Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
James Wilder Jr. had another phenomenal performance in the Toronto Argonauts’ Week 14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes, piling up over 200 yards from scrimmage for the second week in a row. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound running back led his team to victory with 141 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving, including a 45-yard screen play and an 85-yard rushing touchdown.
The Argos’ new lead back has now accumulated an incredible 475 total yards over the past two games.
“It is an amazing feeling,” Wilder said after the game. “It feels good to be able to score, but on top of that it feels better to do all that with wins. We got back in first place, and I look at team stats over individual stats.”
Wilder said after the game that the coaching staff had planned all along to have him serve as the team’s workhorse.
“That’s one of the main things coach said when he first brought me in,” Wilder said. “That’s the role he sees me doing.”
But Wilder was quick to give credit to his blockers, as the Argos’ offensive line created big holes all game long against the Als’ defensive front.
“I really can’t take credit for it,” Wilder said. “If you see the holes that the o-linemen are making, I’m just running through them.”
Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray was highly efficient in Saturday’s win, throwing his 18th touchdown of the season while completing 75 per cent of his passes. Ray said Wilder’s emergence in the Argos’ backfield has done a lot for the entire offence.
“Tonight we started off the game running the ball really well,” Ray said after the game. “It helps everything out in our offence. It keeps the chains moving and gives our offensive linemen a chance to set the line of scrimmage and control the line of scrimmage.”
Wilder and the Argos’ hot offence will look to secure their third win in a row when they take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday.
