The Canadian Press
MONTREAL — While the Toronto Argonauts came up short in their fourth-quarter comeback attempt against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 19, the team showed some things they can build on moving forward. A strong game from quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and a breakout performance from receiver Chandler Worthy led the way in a game where multiple Argos stepped up.
“There’s some guys that stood out,” head coach Corey Chamblin said after the loss. “You saw some fight in them, it was close right here until the end. Guys are learning how to step up, you know some of those younger guys. There is no consolation prize for losing a game, but I did see some younger guys step up in their roles and we almost found a way to win it towards the end, just came up a little bit short.”
RELATED:
» Als survive Argos’ comeback attempt to claim ninth win
» Images: Argonauts at Alouettes
» By the Numbers: View Boxscore
» Watch: Worthy Lays Out For Incredible Diving Catch
» Watch: Johnson Jukes and Weaves His Way To 45-Yard Score
Now standing at 3-13 on the season, every game that remains is a chance to battle for a roster spot next season. Despite being eliminated from the playoffs, the Argos continue to show fight.
“Guys are still competing, and that’s the biggest thing,” Chamblin said. “Even the way the season has gone, guys are still competing and their trying to find a way to find a win.”
One of the brightest spots for the Argos in their loss to Montreal was the breakout performance from Worthy. The 26-year-old receiver caught nine of 11 targets for a career-high 92 yards and a touchdown, the first score of his CFL career. Worthy had multiple key catches down the field for Toronto, and his touchdown catch in the fourth quarter made it a three-point game with under two minutes to play. He also added a 34-yard kick return.
“If we can build around the positives we had and continue to reduce the negatives, then we’ll be a winning football team,” Chamblin said. “There’s a little thing here or there, and it’ll give you a great off-season evaluation on how to get stronger with it that close to a win.”
Bethel-Thompson had one of his strongest performances of the season, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns while completing 78 per cent of his passes. The 31-year-old led multiple scoring drives against the Als before giving his team a chance to win in the final seconds. Bethel-Thompson has now passed for 3,826 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season.
But Chamblin says the team will take a look at its other quarterbacks in the remaining games, including 26-year-old Dakota Prukop.
“Next week regardless of the score, you’ll see more of those other quarterbacks,” Chamblin said.
Week 20 will see the Toronto Argonauts host the Ottawa REDBLACKS next Saturday at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
