The Toronto Argonauts (16-2) visited TD Place Stadium on Saturday night for the final game of the regular season against the Ottawa Redblacks (4-14). Toronto won the previous two games against Ottawa and would complete the sweep.
Toronto played their backup and third-string players giving the starters a rest. On the other side, Ottawa played their starters with players looking to make the roster for the 2024 season.
In the first quarter, Ottawa defensive back Alonzo Addae intercepted Cameron Dukes’ pass on their 30-yard line. However, Toronto would get the ball back plus more when defensive back Mason Pierce intercepted Dustin Crum’s pass for a pick-six 35-yard touchdown. Toronto led 7-0 with 10:19 left of the first quarter.
Later in the first quarter, Toronto quarterback Cameron Dukes threw a deep pass to Dejon Brissett for a 61-yard touchdown. Ottawa defensive back Monshadrik Hunter turned his head to see what Dukes was doing but ended up losing ground to Brissett which resulted in a touchdown. It was now 14-0 with 2:04 left of the first quarter.
Late in the first quarter, Ottawa defensive back Alonzo Addae picked off Cameron Dukes for the second time and returned it for 11 yards. However, on the last play, Toronto defensive back Benjie Franklin intercepted Dustin Crum’s pass for a six-yard return at their 45-yard line. Toronto led 14-0 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Ottawa kicker Michael Domagala kicked two field goals. The first went for 24 yards which made it 14-3 with 8:53 left, and the other went for 39 yards which made it 14-6 at halftime.
Toronto had 185 yards on offense. Quarterback Cameron Dukes completed 11 of 18 passes (61%) for 162 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and three carries for 23 yards. Running back Daniel Adeboboye had three carries for eight yards before a knee injury ended his night.
Wide receiver Dejon Brissett made one catch for 61 yards, and one touchdown. Toronto’s defense made two sacks and two interceptions.
Ottawa had 162 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 9 of 17 passes (53%) for 123 yards, two interceptions, and four carries for 37 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had six carries for eight yards, and wide receiver Justin Hardy made three catches for 63 yards. Ottawa’s defense made one sack and two interceptions.
In the third quarter, Ottawa kicker Michale Domagala made his third field goal of the night for 46 yards which made it 14-9 with 6:29 left. On Toronto’s next series, they went on a six-play drive for 60 yards that ended with a Deonta McMahon two-yard touchdown for a 21-9 lead with 3:02 left. There was some pushing and shoving after the play.
On the kickoff, Ottawa returner Tobias Harris returned the ball 34 yards before fumbling it and Toronto recovered. The Argonauts could not add any points off the turnover. Toronto led 21-9 with one quarter left to play.
In the fourth quarter, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum completed a 15-yard pass to Justin Hardy before Benjie Franklin knocked the ball out of his arm and Toronto recovered. This time, the Argonauts turned the turnover into points on a Boris Bede 37-yard field goal for a 24-9 lead with 8:37 left of the fourth quarter.
Later in the fourth quarter, Ottawa running back Devonte Williams had two carries for 29 yards. Three plays later, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hardy which made it 24-16 Toronto with 6:24 left of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made a 38-yard field goal for a 27-16 lead with 2:55 left. With under a minute left in the game, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum rushed for a 16-yard touchdown. They went for a two-point conversion but did not get it.
It was now 27-22 Toronto with 16 seconds left. Ottawa went for an onside kick but Toronto got the ball and went into victory formation. The Argonauts completed the regular season over the Redblacks by the final score of 27-22.
With the win, Toronto set new records. They set the franchise record with 16 wins, went 10-0 against divisional opponents, and ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak. The last time a team won 16 games was the Edmonton Eskimos in 1989 but the Eskimos lost the Western Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who won the Grey Cup that year.
Toronto had 350 yards on offense. Quarterback Cameron Dukes completed 22 of 34 passes (64.7%) for 317 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and eight carries for 39 yards.
Running back Javon Leake had one carry for one yard, and wide receiver David Ungerer III led the receivers with six catches for 88 yards. Toronto’s defense made 46 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Ottawa had 382 yards on offense. Quarterback Dustin Crum completed 22 of 35 passes (62.9%) for 273 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and eight carries for 73 yards. Running back Devonte Williams had 13 carries for 51 yards, and wide receiver Justin Hardy made six catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. Ottawa’s defense made 42 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Toronto will face either the Hamilton Tiger-Cats or the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final on Saturday, November 11th, at 3 pm on CFL+. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
