In a potential Grey Cup matchup, the Toronto Argonauts (3-0) hosted the B.C. Lions (3-1) on Monday night from BMO Field. Both teams were coming off dominant performances last week leading to this matchup.
In the first quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw a 20-yard pass to Alexander Hollins plus a roughing the passer penalty against Toronto moved the ball to Toronto’s 38-yard line. After Adams threw another 20-yard pass to Keon Hatcher, he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Rhymes for a 7-0 lead with 9:24 left.
Later in the first quarter, Toronto’s special teams put them on the board. B.C. Lions punter Stefan Flintoft punted the ball for 49 yards toward Jevon Leake. Leake got several great blocks and took off for a 91-yard touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 with 1:07 left.
Late in the first quarter, Toronto’s defense came up with a huge play when Robertson Daniel intercepted Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass and returned it for 29 yards to the Lions’ 22-yard line with 19 seconds left. Toronto had the ball to begin the second quarter.
On the fourth play in the second quarter, Toronto took a 14-7 lead on a one-yard touchdown by Cameron Dukes. Later in the second quarter, the Lions battled back when Vernon Adams Jr. threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Dominique Rhymes that tied the game 14-14 with 6:04 left.
After the Lions’ defense stopped Toronto’s offense, the Argo’s defense got the ball back when Jonathan Jones intercepted Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass. On the second play, Chad Kelly threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to DaVaris Daniels to give Toronto a 21-14 lead with three minutes left.
On the kickoff, Boris Bede kicked the ball for 80 yards and it was not returned for a single point. It was now 22-14 with 2:33 left. The Lions had a shot to get closer to Toronto before halftime. However, Vernon Adams Jr. threw his third interception to Tarvarus McFadden. Toronto took advantage of the turnover when Boris Bede made a 47-yard field goal for a 25-14 lead with 57 seconds left. Toronto led the B.C. Lions 25-14 at halftime.
This was an entertaining first half. Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly completed 15 of 19 passes (79%) for 161 yards, and one touchdown, while running back A.J. Ouellette had three carries for six yards, and one catch for four yards. Wide receivers Cam Phillips and DaVaris Daniels combined with eight catches for 87 yards, and one touchdown as part of Toronto’s 149 yards on offense. Toronto’s defense had three interceptions.
For the Lions, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 12 of 21 passes (57%) for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was missing some of his throws to his receivers and Toronto took advantage of them. Running back Taquan Mizzell had four carries for 19 yards, and Dominique Rhymes had two catches for 39 yards, and two touchdowns as part of the Lions’ 207 yards on offense. B.C. needed to have a better second half.
In the third quarter, the Lions cut the Argonauts’ lead to 25-17 on a Sean Whyte 46-yard field goal with 10:35 left. On Toronto’s second series, Chad Kelly threw a couple of passes for 15 yards that led to a Boris Bede 37-yard field goal which made it 28-17 with 7:43 left.
Later in the third quarter, B.C. quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw his fourth interception which was picked off by Robertson Daniel for the second time. Daniel returned the ball for 79 yards before getting tackled at the Lions’ 22-yard line. The Argo’s took advantage when A.J. Ouellette rushed up the middle for a four-yard touchdown. It was now 35-17 with 1:21 left. The Lions had the ball on their 46-yard line to begin the fourth quarter.
Eight plays into the fourth quarter, the Lions found the endzone. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher. It was now 35-24 with 10:23 left. Late in the third quarter, Qwantez Stiggers intercepted Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass intended for Keon Hatcher. It was the fifth interception for Adams. Toronto took it down the field before Boris Bede made a 45-yard field goal for a 38-24 lead with 1:23 left.
The Lions desperately tried to find a way to get back into this game. However, for the sixth time in this game, Vernon Adams Jr.’s pass was picked off by Robertson Daniel, and returned it for a 62-yard touchdown. It was now 45-24 Toronto with 1:10 left. The Lions ran the ball three times to run out the clock and Toronto won the game 45-24.
First off, Toronto played a heck of a game all around. Everyone did their part and the Lions, who came into this game a heavy favorite were dismantled by them. Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 23 of 29 passes (79.3%) for 249 yards, one touchdown, and three carries for 25 yards.
Running back A.J. Ouellette had 14 carries for 70 yards, one touchdown, and one catch for four yards. Wide receivers Cam Phillips, Dejon Brissett, and DaVaris Daniels combined with 13 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown.
Toronto’s defense played a good game. They allowed 413 yards, with 40 tackles, four sacks, six interceptions, and one touchdown.
For the Lions, mistakes killed them in this game. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 24 of 39 passes (69.2%) for 388 yards, three touchdowns, six interceptions, and two carries for eight yards. He overthrew a lot of his receivers and in some cases, his throws were nowhere close to them. He needs to work on his throws because we’ve seen him play better than that. He needs to stay calm under pressure and he will be fine.
Running backs Kienan Lafrance and Taquan Mizzell combined with nine carries for 44 yards, and three catches for 23 yards. Wide receiver Keon Hatcher led the receivers with eight catches for 104 yards, and one touchdown, while Dominique Rhymes had three catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions’ defense allowed 329 yards, with 50 tackles and three sacks.
Next week, the Toronto Argonauts have a bye, while the B.C. Lions host the Montreal Alouettes next Sunday at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
