ESKIMOS 41 ARGONAUTS 27

EDMONTON – Linebacker Dexter McCoil scored a pair of touchdowns and backup quarterback Matt Nichols was solid when called upon as the Edmonton Eskimos held on to win their third game in a row, defeating the Toronto Argos 41-27 on Saturday afternoon.

The Eskimos improved to 7-1 on the season, something they last accomplished in 1989. That was the same year Edmonton started 9-1 and finished with a CFL record 16 victories (16-2).

The win may have come with a high cost. Quarterback Mike Reilly suffered a hand injury early in the game and was unable to return, putting the ball in Nichols’ hands for the majority of the contest.

The Argos lost their second straight game to drop to 3-6, but remain in first place in the struggling East Division.

Both teams’ defences looked sharp in the early running, with Toronto catching the first big break when Nichols had the ball knocked loose into the arms of defensive lineman Tristan Okpalaugo, although the Argos couldn’t make any headway after the play. Nichols came in early after Reilly left the field to have his throwing hand looked at, eventually going for X-rays in the second quarter and not returning to the game.

Edmonton coughed the ball up again in their own territory with six-and-a-half minutes to play in the opening quarter as Devon Bailey reeled in a Nichols pass but then fumbled on his own 41, with Argo Brandon Underwood recovering the ball.

(The Canadian Press)