Argonauts run all over Alouettes in huge win – The Toronto Observer

Although the Argos were able to move the ball whenever they wanted the whole night, they could only do so for the first 80 yards of the field. 

The redzone was a different story.

They went 2-for-6 on drives within 20 yards of the goal line with two others stalling just five yards beyond the redzone as well.

It’s something Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie knew was going to be a struggle.

“We spent more time on the red zone this week,” said Dinwiddie. “We didn’t run the ball as well we wanted to when we were down in tight.” 

But that’s why you have a kicker.

Lirim Hajrullahu connected on all eight of his field goal attempts, tying a CFL record and breaking the Argos record set by Lance Chomyc, who had seven in 1988.

“We knew this was a tough opponent and we wanted to come out and get that (win), the East is heating up and so are we.”

Hajrullahu joined Dave Ridgeway, Mark McLoughlin and Paul Osbaldiston as the only other men to kick eight field goals in one game.

As the game began, the rain started, forcing Dinwiddie to change his plan and adopt for a running attack.

That they did, but just like last week, Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly’s first completed pass of the game went to the defence as Als’ Dionte Ruffin got his team leading fifth interception of the year.

It was Kelly’s eight interception of the year in just his sixth start of the season, he would finish the game 19-for-30 for 287 yards and no touchdowns.

The Alouettes took advantage with Cody Fajardo finding his running back Walter Fletcher out of the backfield a 10-yard touchdown pass putting the Als up 7-3 at 8:30 in the first quarter. Fajardo would finish 20-for-29 with 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The first 12 points for the Argos came on the power of Hajrullahu’s foot before the Boatmen finally found the endzone.

A seven play 90 yard drive that saw six rushes for 70 yards capped off with a five-yard touchdown run by Carey, his sixth rushing touchdown of the year to put the Argos up 19-7.

After the Alouettes would score to cut the lead to five and then four with a rouge, James Letcher Jr. raced down the field for a 100 yard punt return at 14:22 to put the Alouettes up 22-19 with an extra point in the second quarter.

Hajrullahu made a 49-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game at 22 going into the half. 

Deonta McMahon gave the Double Blue a 28-23 lead at 8:44 in the third quarter after a six yard touchdown run. The Argos would go for two, but failed to convert.

Toronto would add another field goal before the Alouettes made a gusty call and go for it on third down from the one yard line, converting with Dominique Davis at 6:15 in the fourth.

Down by two, the Alouettes rolled the dice, converting to tie the game at 31.

Hajrullahu’s magic foot was call upon for the eight time of the night, this time from 37 yards to give the Argos a 37-31 lead with 49 seconds left. 

Argos forced an interception on a third and long by rookie Tyshon Blackburn to seal the win for the Boatmen, Blackburn’s first interception in the CFL.

Both teams head into their final bye week of the season.

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