CFL Saturday: Argos 39 Elks 36

Cameron Dukes and the Toronto Argonauts’ ground game proved to be too much for the Edmonton Elks on Saturday night.

Lirim Hajrullahu’s 37-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Argonauts to an entertaining 39-36 win over Edmonton. Dukes threw for 214 yards and two TDs, but it was the Argos’ 186-yard rushing effort that anchored the victory before an announced BMO Field gathering of 10,857.

Carey rushed for a game-high 104 yards and a TD on 19 carries. Deonta McMahon added 50 yards and a touchdown on four carries while Dukes had a major and two-point convert in his four carries for 17 yards. Canadian Daniel Adeboboye contributed 15 yards on two carries.

“It was huge,” Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said of the rushing game. “Ka’Deem really showed up.

“He battled through a little thing at halftime, I was going to sit him and let the other guys go. He’s a warrior and played well.”

The loss spoiled Edmonton quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s return. The former Argo starter was 28-of-38 passing for 342 yards and four TDs, tying a career high.

Bethel-Thompson spent five seasons with Toronto (2017-19, 21-22) and was part of two Grey Cup-winning teams. He led the CFL in passing in 2022 before spending the ’23 campaign with the USFL’s Boston Breakers.

Bethel-Thompson signed a one-year deal with Edmonton during the off-season.

“He played great,” Dinwiddie said of Bethel-Thompson. “The tough part is we allowed him to throw the ball down the seam (and) throw the field throws, that’s what he’s good at.

“I wanted him to throw those go balls with air and let’s go compete for it. I thought Mac played well, he battled his butt off just like he always does.”

Bethel-Thompson was among seven former Argos in Edmonton’s lineup. The others were quarterback Dakota Prukop, receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., offensive lineman Shane Richards, defensive lineman Sam Acheampong, kicker Boris Bede, Leake and defensive back Josh Hagerty.

Toronto defensive lineman Jake Ceresna (three tackles, sack) faced his former team for the first time since being traded to Toronto in the off-season, a deal that saw Gittens head to Edmonton.

UP NEXT

Elks: Head to Vancouver to play the B.C. Lions (2-1) on Thursday.

Argonauts: Host the unbeaten Montreal Alouettes (3-0) on Friday.

(Canadian Press)