The Toronto Argonauts (1-0) made their 2023 season debut on Sunday night at BMO Field against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2). Before the game started, the Argonauts raised their 2022 Grey Cup championship banner. It was also a new era in Toronto as Chad Kelly took the reigns as the team’s new starting quarterback and he did not disappoint.
In the first quarter, Chad Kelly completed a 20-yard pass to DaVaris Daniels at Hamilton’s 44-yard line. They were unable to move the ball afterward and John Haggerty punted the ball for 61 yards in the Ticats’ endzone for a single point. It was 1-0 Toronto with 10:50 left.
On the second Hamilton series, Bo Levi Mitchell and James Butler led the team down to the Argo’s 10-yard line but Mitchell’s pass was intercepted by Quan’Tez Stiggers. Toronto capitalized on the turnover when Chad Kelly faked a run and ran the ball for a 7-yard touchdown for an 8-0 lead with 1:55 left. Toronto led 8-0 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, the Ticats got on the board when James Butler rushed for a 10-yard touchdown. Then, the Ticats tried to tie the game with a two-point conversion but failed. It was 8-6 Toronto with 10:34 left.
Toronto responded on their next series. Chad Kelly threw three passes for 58 yards plus running back A.J. Ouellette had four carries for 29 yards to reach the Ticats’ 1-yard line. For the second time in the game, Chad Kelly took it in for a touchdown and it was now 15-6 with 4:27 left.
Then, Toronto’s defense came up with another big play as DaShaun Amos picked off Bo Levi Mitchell, giving the Argonauts another chance to add points before halftime. They did just that. Kelly threw a 59-yard pass to Damonte Coxie on the first play. The Argo’s got to the Ticats’ 1-yard line and Kelly took it in for a touchdown that made it 22-6 with 23 seconds left.
The Argonauts completely controlled this game, leading 22-6 at halftime. Chad Kelly completed 9 of 14 passes (64.3%) for 185 yards, three carries for nine yards, and three touchdowns. Running back A.J. Ouellette had eight carries for 32 yards, and wide receiver Damonte Coxie had five catches for 129 yards as part of the Argo’s 224 yards on offense.
For Hamilton, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 10 of 14 passes (71.4%) for 100 yards, two interceptions, and two carries for eight yards. Running back James Butler had ten carries for 39 yards, one touchdown, and two catches for 22 yards, and wide receiver Duke Williams had three catches for 34 yards as part of the Ticats’ 161 yards on offense.
In the third quarter, there were no points scored. Both defenses did not allow many yards and the score remained 22-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell pulled a hamstring and left the game as Matthew Shiltz took over. With 6:21 left, Toronto added another touchdown, this time by Andrew Harris for a 10-yard run that made it 29-6.
Late in the game, the Ticats finally got on the board again when Matthew Shiltz threw an 8-yard touchdown to Tim White. Next, Hamilton converted a two-point play for a 29-14 Toronto lead with 1:55 left. Then, with 56 seconds left, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made a 27-yard field goal and the Argonauts defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by the final score of 32-14.
Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly had an impressive debut. He completed 14 of 23 passes (61%) for 213 yards, five carries for 28 yards, and three touchdowns. Running back A.J. Ouellette led the rushers with 13 carries for 60 yards. I think he is going to have a big year for Toronto.
Wide receiver Damonte Coxie played a terrific game making six catches for 131 yards, and kicker Boris Bede made one field goal for 27 yards and converted four extra points. Toronto’s defense allowed 326 yards, with 47 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 16 of 24 passes (66.7%) for 158 yards, two interceptions, and two carries for eight yards. Backup quarterback Matthew Shiltz completed 13 of 14 passes (92.9%) for 115 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for two yards.
If Mitchell is required to miss time, I think the Ticats are better off with Shiltz as their quarterback. He made some smart decisions with the football and should be given a chance to lead the team.
Running back James Butler led the rushers with 16 carries for 57 yards, one touchdown, and seven catches for 57 yards, while wide receiver Duke Williams had six catches for 102 yards. Hamilton’s defense allowed 316 yards, with 35 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Next Friday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes at 7:30 pm on CBS Sports Network, while the Toronto Argonauts visit the Edmonton Elks on Sunday at 7:30 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
