OFFENCE
Our offence came out to dominate the line of scrimmage from the outset of this game against the Argos! We gave the Argos a strong dose of Joe Smith early and often. Joe Smith scored our first touchdown on a short plunge, to cap off a solid scoring drive.Smith was 14/79 in the first half and our Leos were patient, going back to the run when it was there..something most offences are not willing to do. We kept pounding on Toronto's defense, wearing them down. Belli started to get frustrated... and when he grabbed Jarious Jackson unnecessarily, after Belli's third offside of the half, Kelly Bates and Rob Murphy took exception.
With the first half winding down we got a chance to finally see vintage Geroy Simon, as he slipped a tackle following a catch, took it wide, and turned on the afterjets for a 59 yard gain.We had a great chance to score our second touchdown of the half and really put some distance between us and the Argos but Jason Clermont couldn't survive contact in the end zone, dropped the football, and the challenge was unsuccessful. Jarious Jackson made some excellent throws in the first half, showed his excellent scrambling ability, and showed poise in the pocket. We went into the first half with a 12-0 lead.
Jarious Jackson opened the second half with a deep throw to Paris Jackson, dropping it perfectly over Jackson's right shoulder, although Younger had good coverage. A pass interference call on Wheaton, who interfered with Gereoy Simon moved us into scoring range. We got a bad break as another excellent throw to Simon, into the end zone went incomplete as the Argo defender got away with grabbing Simon's wrist. However, McCallum's field goal put us up 15-0 as we answered the second half bell with a long scoring drive.
Our offence had a great chance to put up some more points following Banks interception in the third quarter but Kelly Bates face masking penalty forced a second and twenty five. Still McCallum was able to convert a 46 yard field goal to give us an 18-0 lead. Paris Jackson hit Geroy perfectly on a post pattern and Geroy took it to the Toronto one yard line... but unfortunately Simon fumbled just before he hit the turf. Ryan Phillips interception gave our offence great field position near the end of the third quarter, deep in Toronto's end. Two handoffs later and Joe Smith drove into the end zone, on a counter, with Lyle Green leading the way, to give us a 27-7 lead.
With less than eight minutes left, after another field goal Jarious Jackson hit Clermont for a 32 yard gain downfield to the Toronto thirty yard line. A bad snap on second down for a loss led to another field goal by McCallum.
Anyone prefer "Chap Ball" to "Smash Ball"? It was great to see our offence just run the football down a team's throat again because it's so physically and mentally wearing... and demoralizing to the opposition. Add in a another poised effort from Jarious Jackson, solid performances from Paris Jackson and Jason Clermont, and Geroy Simon's bringing back the sparkle of old to our offence, and we were just too much for the Argo's 'D"!
DEFENSE
Our defense came out to play in this game from the opening whistle. We got steady pressure on Bishop, all first half, with Cameron Wake getting excellent pressure and another sack to take over the league lead. Hunt was also a strong presence in the first half, getting strong penetration. Toronto put together a successful drive in the fourth quarter but Miles timely interception, on a poorly thrown football by Bishop, allowed us to keep the goosegg on the board.
We kept Toronto completely off the scoreboard in the first half, an impressive performance against a red hot Argo offence coming into this game.
On the second play of the second half, Toronto's centre snapped the football over Bishop's head. Jamal Johnson pulverized Bishop as he tried to throw it away but Korey Banks read the play beautifully and stepped up with a big interception. Toronto finally scored their first points in the game in the third quarter, as Phillips was called for a 43 yard pass interference penalty. Phillips was unlucky in that the Toronto receiver hand fought him but Phillips did't turn around on the play. Our defense really dug in, shutting down Edwards on a second and short but Toronto ran a 1 yard reverse with Frank Murphy on their third down gamble to score.
Simon's fumble on the one yard line, after an excellent catch and run play, didn't demoralize our defense and they shut Toronto down with quick two and out, forcing the second safety touch by Toronto in the game. The safety put us ahead 20-7 with four minutes to go in the third quarter. Hunt put huge pressure on Bishop on second and 20 late in the third quarter, Washington made a great play on Talbot, and the tipped ball went up in the air and into Ryan Phillips hands. Phillips returned the football for huge yards to the Toronto 17 yard line. It was Phillips eight interception of the season to lead the league while it was the seventeen interception for our defence..again a league leading stat.
Korey Banks was outstanding on the blitz all night, getting a big pass knockdown and then hitting Bishop and forcing a fumble in the fourth quarter, with the ball recovered by Ty Williams, who had his best game of the season.
This game was an example of our defense playing on all cylinders. We got pressure from our front four and that was such a key because we got both inside pressure from Hunt and Williams as well as the outside from Wake and Johnson. When we bltized we also did it effectively. Ryan Phillips key knockdown on a deep pass, with nine mintues left in the game caused a fifth turnover as Toronto surrendered the football on downs.
Brent Johnson picked up a Bishop fumble late in the fourth quarter, as our defensive line all caved in Michael biship, and Johnson and rumbled into the end zone to give us a 40-7 lead. Ricky Foley had a big sack late in the fourth quarter, to put our defense into the lead in sacks in the CFL. Ryan Phillips and Korey Banks had outstanding games, Mark Washingon had a solid game in his first start at wideside corner, solidifying that spot , while Miles, Knolwton, and Glover were all on their games. Otis Floyd looked his sharpest of the season and Jamal Johnson played fast and smart out there all game and hit like a ton of bricks.
With pressure on the quarterback Ritchie was able to mix his defenses and coverages.. like a chef creating a gourmet banquet of mouth watering treats and our defense looked hungry, turning over the football six times and picking up four sacks in an intimidating performance.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Toronto prides itself on its special teams but Ian Smart showed that our special teams are very dangerous too with a big return in the first half. With the game very chippy in the first half Toronto's Hardy held Crawford all the way downfield and when Crawford tried everything to break free of his grab the two grappled with Hardy landing on top of Crawford. Both were ejected as the ref decided to set an example to calm the game down but Crawford should not have been ejected.
McCallum had a strong game in the field goal department, hitting on all his many field goal attempts and our downfield coverage did an excellent job on Dorsey, a speedy returner. Once again Jamal Johnson and Ricky Foley looked fast and sharp on special teams and they were backed up by a lot of hustle and discipline by all our Leos on the downfield coverage teams. Jamal Johnson's hit on Dorsey late in the fourth quarter could be heard in the upper rafters.
Ian Smart also had a 36 yard return on a kickoff in the third quarter to give us good field position as our special teams outperformed Toronto. We gave up a 51 yard return late in the fourth quarter to Dorsey as we relaxed too much with a huge lead.. but when the game counted we were on the money.
WRAP
This game demonstrated how talented a team we are when we bring our A game. Our offence was physical but we also showed our skill game, completing some big passes for huge gains. Defensively, we were back to that aggressive, intimidating, ball hawking style that is such a treat to watch because it''s such a huge weapon when we play that way...and it all began with pressure up front!! With Glatt and Marsh back in the future.. one can only imagine how good they could play. On special teams we continue to be fast and disciplined.
A huge, impressive, dominating victory for our Leos!!
