Photo | Johany Jutras/CFL
TORONTO — If Trevor Harris was nervous about playing his former team, he sure didn’t show it.
Harris’ first trip back to Toronto since leaving the Argonauts and signing with Ottawa last year, turned out to be a success for the star pivot, beating his old club 30-20. Harris connected on 28-of-31 passes for 392 yards and no interceptions.
Greg Ellingson, who had nine receptions for 218 yards, was Harris’ favourite target for the night and the star for Ottawa’s offence.
On the Argo’s opening possession of the ball game, Ricky Ray connected with Andre Durie for 14 yards and then had a seven yard completion to Brandon Whitaker moving the veteran pivot past Danny McManus on the all-time passing CFL passing list. Ray currently sits fourth on the list, behind Anthony Calvillo, Damon Allen and Henry Burris, respectively.
The Argos seemed to have scored their first touchdown of the ball game, when Ray found Phil Bates in the end zone, but a flag on the play ruled it for not and kept the score knotted at zero.
On an Argo 3rd-and-one, quarterback Cody Fajardo passed off to Anthony Coombs who leapt into the end zone for the Argo’s first rushing touchdown of the season at 10:24 of the first quarter. Lirim Hajrullahu’s convert was good, putting Toronto ahead 7-0.
After the Argo’s touchdown, Harris and his offence jumped back on the field and Toronto’s defence was up for the task. Justin Hickman sacked Harris and on the very next play, Shawn Lemon took down the REDBLACKS’ pivot as well. The sack’s were Hickman and Lemon’s first in the Double Blue.
After a 92-yard Argo’s march down the field, it was Fajardo who plunged into the end zone for the Boatmen’s second major score of the game. Hajrullahu’s point after was just wide of the uprights putting Toronto ahead 13-0 at 5:28 of the second quarter. Ray completed six of seven passes for 59 yards on Toronto’s drive.
Harris spotted Ellingson on Ottawa’s next possession who broke away for 69 yards to bring Ottawa within scoring range. Nic Grigsby nabbed his first touchdown as a REDBLACK from a four yard run at 7:54. Chris Milo’s point after was good, and Ottawa cut Toronto’s lead to 13-7.
Toronto’s defence was up for the challenge of containing Chris Williams in the first half, holding the CFL’s leading receiver to only five catches for 37 yards.
The REDBLACKS had a late push at the end of the second quarter, moving down the field 53 yards but had to settle for kicking a field goal. Milo made his 31 yard attempt. Toronto ended the half ahead 13-10.
Toronto’s lead didn’t last long into the second half.
Just a minute into the third frame, Harris plunged into the end zone after he threw a long bomb to Ellingson for a 77 yard gain, bringing the REDBLACK’S to the one yard line. Milo’s point after was good and Ottawa jumped ahead of Toronto 17-13. The reception was Ellingson’s fifth on the night for 176 yards.
Toronto’s defence knew they needed to get to Harris if they had any chance of containing the CFL’s hottest offence and they did just that. Ken Bishop took down Harris for his team’s third sack of the night.
After Ottawa’s early score in the third, Ray and Toronto’ offence took off. Ray found Kenny Shaw for a 34 yard gain to bring the Boatmen into REDBLACK territory. Ray’s pass intended for Durie in the end zone, was intercepted by Antoine Pruneau but a flag on the field called it back and Toronto maintained possession.
On the 13th play of an 81 yard drive, Ray threw a six yard pass to connect with Whitaker to put the Argo’s up 20-17 with just over a minute and a half left in the third quarter. The Argos headed into the final quarter leading the REDBLACKS 20-17.
Harris tossed an incomplete pass to Ellingson, who collected over 200 yards on the night, that led to Milo hitting an 11 yard field goal to tie the score 20-20 with 11:46 left in the fourth quarter.
And just like that, the REDBLACK’S regained the lead.
Tristan Jackson returned Hajrullahu’s punt 75 yards to put the red and black ahead 27-20 with 10:41 left in the fourth.
Milo’s 49 yard field goal attempt hit the left upright, keeping a seven point REDBLACK lead with 2:07 left in the fourth quarter.
Ray and his offence couldn’t solve Ottawa’s defence late in the game and Ottawa, after kicking a late field goal, left BMO Field with the 30-20 victory.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS will continue their road trip next week taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders The Argo’s will try to win their first game on home turf next week when the Montreal Alouettes come to town.
