Argos make a game of it in rematch with Ticats, but come up short on final play

Of the three losers from last weekend facing rematches this week, the Toronto Argonauts seemed to have it toughest. They were blown out 42-12 by the Tiger-Cats Monday, didn't have much time to change their strategies, looked like the weaker team heading into Friday's rematch, and couldn't even hope for much of a home-field advantage given their poor fan turnouts and their proximity to Hamilton. The Argos' defence managed to keep them in the game Friday, though, and their offence was clicking in a way it wasn't Monday. In the end, they couldn't quite pull it off, losing 35-27 and seeing a chance to potentially tie the game (with a touchdown and a two-point conversion) on the final play picked off in the end zone. While this result confirms that the Ticats are the better team right now and solidifies their hold on first place in the East, though, it suggests the gap between the sides isn't necessarily as large as Monday's game implied.

This was a much better outing from the Argonauts on a number of fronts. One key improvement came from the defence. While giving up 35 points isn't great, they managed to stop the Ticats even after several turnovers in great field position, including off a late blocked punt that gave Hamilton a first down at the 19-yard line, but only resulted in a field goal. They also contained Ticats' QB Zach Collaros, holding him to 254 passing yards and two touchdowns with an interception, a long way from the 400 and four he posted Monday. Moreover, Toronto was able to limit the ground game; Hamilton RB Ray Holley collected 51 yards on 11 carries Friday, nowhere near the 84 he picked up on nine attempts Monday. The Argos' defence has been hit-and-miss this year, and this game certainly didn't suggest that all their issues are solved, but it was a step in the right direction.

The Toronto offence also looked better Friday night. Quarterback Trevor Harris' stats still weren't great, as he threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns with two picks and just a 57.1 per cent completion mark, but he led a terrific late drive that had them in position to tie. Harris generally looked better than he did Monday (211 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick, albeit with a 70.6 per cent completion mark), making tougher throws down the field instead of always settling for checkdowns, and his stats could have been much better if not for several big plays that were nullified by penalties. He also ran for 36 yards on eight attempts. Brandon Whitaker had a pretty good night on the ground, too, collecting 34 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, and Tori Gurley was great in the receiving game, hauling in seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. This wasn't one of the Argonauts' best offensive outings, but it was better than what they showed Monday, and it suggests this team can potentially compete even against tough defences like Hamilton's.

One big concern for Toronto going forward is the health of punter/kicker Swayze Waters, who left the game in the second half, leaving receiver Dave Stala to fill in as an emergency replacement. The Argos just got Waters back after he missed six games with a knee injury earlier this year. If he's out for any length of time, they'll have to find another solution there, and that may not be easy.

Overall, this was far from a perfect effort by the Argos. They took too many bad penalties, they weren't highly effective at the start (Hamilton led 19-7 at halftime), their offence wasn't in perfect sync and their defence gave up a fair bit of points. There's still a lot of work to be done if they hope to contend for a championship. Still, this game suggested they can at least be in the same ballpark as the Tiger-Cats, and that's something that wasn't apparent in Monday's loss. Hamilton's the better team at this point in time, and it's going to be tough for Toronto to catch them for first place in the East (the Ticats are now 8-3 versus the Argos' 6-5, and they control the season series tiebreaker), but if these teams do wind up facing each other in the playoffs, it won't necessarily be a foregone conclusion. Toronto has a lot to improve upon, but they were in the game Friday. That's a step forward.