MOSAIC PLACE RECAP: ARGONAUTS 48 ROUGHRIDERS 15

TORONTO (CP) – Ricky Ray and Chad Owens heeded their coach’s call Saturday.

Ray threw for 407 yards and three TDs while Owens amassed 248 all-purpose yards and a touchdown as the Toronto Argonauts stunned the Saskatchewan Roughriders 48-15 before a sparse Rogers Centre gathering of 17,758.

The win was redemption for Toronto (1-1), coming off a dismal 45-21 season-opening loss in Winnipeg. What’s more, Saskatchewan (1-1) began its Grey Cup defence registering 10 sacks in a lopsided 31-10 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On Friday, Argos head coach Scott Milanovich said he was looking forward to seeing which of his players would step up against the defending CFL champions.

“Those were two of the guys I expected to do that,” Milanovich said of Ray and Owens. “I guess I just expect it at this point.

“Last week wasn’t good … I think our pride was hurt, I think we were embarrassed by the way we showed up. Professional athletes are very competitive, very prideful and to take a whooping like that when you didn’t see it coming, that sticks with you. It may’ve been a good thing for us in the longterm to kind of open your eyes and show us we need to step up every week.”

Toronto quickly took control, surging to a 17-1 half-time lead that swelled to 24-1 just five minutes into the second half. Being firmly ahead allowed the Argos to continue utilizing their entire playbook and maintaining a balanced attack to keep Saskatchewan’s defence guessing.

Toronto ran for 161 yards with sophomore Curtis Steele rushing for 59 yards and two TDs on eight carries while rookie Antony Coombs added 52 yards on six carries. Ray also got into the act, running four times for 32 yards.

Falling behind forced Saskatchewan’s run-first offence to go to the air 33 times – compared to just 15 rushing plays. That allowed Toronto’s defence to come after Riders quarterback Darian Durant, sacking him five times (four in the second half) and registering two Antwuan Molden interceptions. The newcomer took one 108 yards for a TD late in the game.

“I thought it was a key that we get out to a lead … it allowed us to stay balanced and continue to mix it up a little bit with our ground game,” Milanovich said. “It gave our defence a little confidence playing with the lead and let them come after the quarterback.”

Toronto’s defence, which opened the season with just four returning starters, had four more new faces against Saskatchewan. Cornerback Vincent Agnew, safety Jermaine Gabriel, linebacker Molden and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas all started as cornerback Matt Ware, linebacker Jamie Robinson and safety Matt Black went on the injured list while defensive lineman Greg Romeus was placed on the practice roster.

But Toronto didn’t emerge unscathed as linebacker Shea Emry (head) and slotback Andre Durie (shoulder) were injured. Milanovich wasn’t sure how severe either was.

Ray completed 29-of-37 passes, many being short underneath tosses that allowed his receivers to quickly get upfield and gain yards after the catch. Owens was especially effective, registering 11 catches for 159 yards and a TD while also returning six punts for 89 yards.

“He’s so shifty out there,” Ray said of Owens. “I just got to get the ball into his hands and he’s going to cut all the way across the field and make guys miss and turn short gainers into big plays for us.

“It’s nice to have a guy like him who makes my job easier. I’m not having to throw it 30 yards downfield, I’m just throwing the little short ones and he’s taking it 40 yards.”

Owens said it was important for Toronto to rebound from its opening-season loss.

“You never want to start the season 0-1, let alone 0-2,” he said. “We knew it was a must-win game for us and playing Saskatchewan we knew it was going to be a battle.

“Even after the first half I wasn’t satisfied with the lead just knowing how quickly they could score.”

Saskatchewan made it interesting in the third after Ray’s 14-yard TD strike to Jason Barnes put Toronto ahead 24-1. Durant hit Taj Smith with a 59-yard touchdown strike at 10:22 before finding Antony Allen on a nine-yard toss at 13:16 to pull the Riders to within 25-15.

But that’s as close as Saskatchewan got as Swayze Waters’ 40-yard field goal to open the fourth put Toronto ahead 28-15.

Durant finished 17-of-29 passing for 295 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Allen ran for 158 yards on 27 carries last weekend against the Ticats but was held to 66 yards on nine carries versus Toronto.

Riders head coach Corey Chamblin admitted he was shocked by the one-sided outcome.

“We didn’t think the game would turn out this way,” he said. “But you have to be perfect to win against Ricky Ray.

“I felt we didn’t have a good practice and we were not good enough to win off a short week.”

Durant sensed the Argos’ defence was intent on redemption following its performance last weekend in Winnipeg.

“They had a great defensive gameplan,” he said. “They came out after the loss last week and wanted to perform for their fans at the home opener.

“We played against a good football team and a great quarterback.”

Mike Bradwell had Toronto’s other TD. Waters added five converts, two field goals and a single.

Saskatchewan’s Chris Milo had two converts and a single.

NOTES — Since 2008, Durant has started 12 of Saskatchewan’s 13 games versus Toronto, the exception being Aug. 9, 2008 when former Argo Michael Bishop was under centre. During that span, the Argos have had seven different quarterbacks face the Riders … Slotback Chris Getzlaf and offensive lineman Levy Adcock were Saskatchewan’s pre-game scratches. Linebacker Greg Jones and defensive lineman Delano Johnson were Toronto’s scratches … Riders’ defensive back Dwight Anderson celebrated his 33rd birthday Saturday … Country artist Brett Kissel performed at halftime.

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Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Riders look like they enjoyed their off time in TO a little too much

sloppy performance in the 1st qtr to say the least

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

I now know why the DB’s call themselves the wolfpack

They can’t tackle anyone by themselves and require the whole group of them to bring someone down

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

It's half time and so far the Riders have crapped the bed, and I mean everyone. We'll see what the second half brings.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Well, the first half was a stinker. Can't tackle, cover or catch/hang onto the ball. Everything else was OK.
It's Drew Willy time!!!!What? He's where? Oh Oh. Now what?

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Richie Hall has broken away from Chamblin and is back to his old ways.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

That's I right…it won't even be close (said the media!)
Riders reading their own paper clippings?

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Why does Green run to the first tackler every time??? We need a return man.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

the riders need a lot of things… they beat up on a crappy HAM team and everyone thought the riders were the team to beat again lmao

I predicted from the start of the year the riders will be lucky to go 9-9 if the riders go 9-9 consider the season a success

today this team looked like a 5-13 team which may be realistic

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Would one of you green goggle wearers please explain how good Richie's defence is.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Just terrible, I went outside to enjoy the day after first half. Let's get it together for BC this Saturday night and go to 2-1 !

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Riders didn’t show up to play today.

You can’t blame it on change because a lot of mistakes were made by veterans.

The players heads got too big and they thought they could just roll into TO and dominate. Maybe game 1 was an aberration, and we don’t have as strong of a team as we thought.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Lord knows how many guys ran through a Sam Hurl tackle today, he needs to be replaced and Dwight Anderson has lost a step. Didn't the staff see that in camp????

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Well, should be an entertaining week on the old blog. The Ritchie haters, Durant haters, no hopers, sky is falling crybabies VS the defenders of Hall/Taman and all things green. Have at'ter boys!!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

THE RIDERS JUST POOPED THEIR BIG BOY PANTS!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

DD still can't read a blitz or find a wide open receiver.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Stink. Stank. Stunk!

reginawing
10 years ago

Depth is a real problem especially at quarterback. Durant is on or the team is toast. Rob I wish u wouldn't try to find an excuse for a total team no show. You must of brought up our receiver back at home 12 times trying to make him the excuse for the loss. It wasn't 1 player the coach has kept trying to tell you that for 2 years.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

I see riderfans is banning people for criticizing Durant, lol, small wonder, the mods are doltz and no zilch about football.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Team loss in that everyone stunk equally, COACHES AND PLAYERS. The Jock Sanders treatment should help Allen progress. Football is a mental game and the players minds were not on point today.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Intensity and game prep seems to have been the difference here. Veterans who normally make sure tackles were always off target. One play I saw at least five defensive players trying to stop Chad Owens, huh? How big is this guy? I saw one very good player basically stand still as Toronto ran past him into the end zone. I saw Toronto's defensive coach stumped when the Riders started to get it together and next series he had a new attack method. Where was our adjustment on the fly? I scratch my head about Darian, he was under pressure for… Read more »