CFL SIM: TURNOVER ATLANTIC! ARGOS 12 RIDERS 7

HALIFAX – Touchdown Atlantic turned into Turnover Atlantic.

In a computer-simulated game on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football Thursday evening, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts combined to turn the football over a whopping 16 times – three off a CFL record – as the Argos prevailed 12-7 in the CFL’s marquee summer game.

Toronto was in control throughout the contest at a sold-out virtual Huskie Stadium, building up a 7-0 lead after the first quarter on a 2-yard Marcus Thigpen TD run. A Rider safety in the second quarter gave the Argos a 9-0 lead at the break. It was a forgettable night for the quarterbacks as Saskatchewan’s Cody Fajardo three five interceptions in the first half while Toronto’s Matt Nichols was charged with three first half fumbles and an interception of his own.

Country recording artist J.J. Voss performed a live halftime 2-song set as part of our Summer Concert Series.

The Riders got their game together in the third quarter, notching a 22-yard Brett Lauther field goal and a Jon Ryan punt single to cut Toronto’s lead to 9-4 going into the fourth quarter. Another Lauther 41-yard field goal got the Riders to 9-7 at the 5:36 mark however Argo kicker Boris Bede put the game away with a 20-yard field goal with 46 seconds remaining before a decidedly pro-Argo crowd.

Fajardo ended the night with 181 yards passing and five picks. His favourite target was Kenny Stafford who caught 11 passes for 43 yards. William Powell racked up 39 yards rushing. CB Nick Marshall had one interception and a fumble recovery while Otha Foster and Charleston Hughes both recovered fumbles.

Toronto’s Matt Nichols finished with 236 yards passing and his top receiver was Dejon Brissett (10/36). Marcus Thigpen notched 19 yards rushing.

The win upped Toronto’s record to 4-1 under virtual rookie head coach Ryan Dinwiddie while Saskatchewan dropped to 3-2.

The Riders host Ottawa in Week 8 in a Thursday Night Football showdown on July 30. The Argos are home to Winnipeg on Friday, July 31.