The Toronto Argonauts (6-0) took on the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-4) on Saturday afternoon from Huskies Stadium on the campus of St. Mary’s University in the 2023 Touchdown Atlantic game. This was the second consecutive meeting between the two teams in the Touchdown Atlantic game. Last year, the Argonauts won 30-24.
In the first quarter, Toronto took a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Boris Bede with 11:02 left. Later in the first quarter, Toronto’s special teams went to work. Saskatchewan punter Adam Korsak punted the ball for 51 yards toward Jevon Leake. Leake got some tremendous blocks ahead of him to score a 71-yard touchdown, making it 10-0 with 6:09 left.
Toronto would add three more points with 1:20 left on a 35-yard field goal by Boris Bede for a 13-0 lead. Toronto’s defense shut down Saskatchewan’s offense. They could not get much going.
Just before the first quarter ended, Adam Korsak punted the ball to Leake. Leake was injured after getting tackled but stayed in the game. Toronto had the ball on their 32-yard line to begin the second quarter up 13-0.
In the second quarter, Toronto moved the ball to their 50-yard line before punting it to Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s offense made it to their 44-yard line before punting the ball back to Toronto. Later in the second quarter, Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine attempted to throw the ball to Samuel Emilus but it was intercepted by Robertson Daniel who returned it for 24 yards.
Four plays later, Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly threw the ball sideways to Dejon Brissett for a two-yard touchdown. The two connected again for a two-point conversion for a 21-0 lead with 4:23 left. Late in the second quarter, Saskatchewan’s defense forced two turnovers including a Nic Marshall interception. The Roughriders came up empty-handed both times and Toronto led 21-0 at halftime.
Toronto had 132 yards on offense. Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 8 of 14 passes (57.1%) for 66 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one carry for four yards. Running back A.J. Ouellette had six carries for 36 yards and two catches for 19 yards.
Wide receivers Cam Phillips and DaVaris Daniels combined with four catches logging 42 yards. Toronto’s defense recorded three sacks.
Despite not putting points on the point, Saskatchewan had 141 yards on offense. Quarterback Mason Fine completed 15 of 21 passes (71.4%) for 142 yards, one interception, and one carry for four yards. The running game was not effective with nine carries for 24 yards, and wide receiver Tevin Jones had three catches for 51 yards.
In the third quarter, Saskatchewan finally got on the board when kicker Brett Lauther converted a 39-yard field goal which made it 21-3 with 5:43 left. On their next drive, Mason Fine threw a short pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for a gain of 42 yards. They made it to Toronto’s six-yard line as the third quarter ended down 21-3.
In the fourth quarter, the Roughriders’ offense could not punch it into the endzone with two incomplete passes including on third down and Toronto took over. After the Roughriders’ defense forced a two-and-out, Saskatchewan’s offense moved the ball to Toronto’s 31-yard line before Brett Lauther kicked a 44-yard field goal. It was now 21-6 with 10:37 left.
Later in the fourth quarter, Toronto would get those points back when Boris Bede made a 31-yard field goal for a 24-6 lead with 4:37 left. Then, Toronto’s defense came up with a huge play that sealed the game. Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine was under pressure and threw the ball toward Brayden Lenius before DaShaun Amos intercepted it for a 58-yard touchdown. It was now 31-6 with 3:20 left. Mason Fine walked away hurting from taking a vicious hit by Shawn Oakman and Jake Dolegala replaced him.
Dolegala threw three passes for 69 yards reaching the Argonauts’ 31-yard line. Then, Dolegala threw a nice pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for an over-the-shoulder catch that resulted in a 31-yard touchdown. It was now 31-13 with 1:57 left.
Saskatchewan tried an onside kick but the ball went out of bounds and Toronto went into victory formation to win the game by the final score of 31-13. For the first time since 1935, the Argonauts are 6-0 on the season.
This was a dominant performance by Toronto especially on special teams and defense. Toronto had 200 yards on offense. Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 13 of 21 passes (62%) for 122 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one carry for four yards.
Running back A.J. Ouellette had nine carries for 34 yards and three catches for 33 yards. Meanwhile, running back Andrew Harris had seven carries for 41 yards. He moved to fifth all-time CFL rushing yards.
Wide receiver Cam Phillips led the receivers with four catches for 38 yards, and DaVaris Daniels had two catches for 34 yards. Toronto’s defense had 49 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Saskatchewan’s offense had 426 yards. It was a rough game for Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine. He completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2%) for 302 yards, two interceptions, and one carry for four yards. Fine went against a good Toronto defense and made a few mistakes that he can correct. Mason Fine is not a bad quarterback, he needs better protection up front and the head coach needs to continue to adjust the playbook for Fine. I like Fine’s potential and this season is a learning experience for him. Be patient with him and the rewards will come later.
Running back Jamal Morrow had ten carries for 41 yards, and wide receivers Shawn Bane Jr., and Tevin Jones combined with 19 catches logging 277 yards, and one touchdown. Saskatchewan’s defense had 34 tackles, one sack, and one interception. The Roughriders need to do a better job not committing penalties. They had eight penalties for 50 yards.
Next Friday, the Toronto Argonauts battle the Calgary Stampeders at 9 pm on CFL+, while the Roughriders are on a bye week. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
