The Toronto Argonauts (3-4) visited B.C. Place Stadium on Saturday night against the B.C. Lions (1-5). This was the first game at B.C. Place Stadium since last year. The stadium was used for the FIFA World Cup. Chase Brice got the start at quarterback for the Lions.
In the first quarter, Toronto had the ball on the 53-yard line. After Kevin Mital rushed for six yards, quarterback Chad Kelly threw three passes for 39 yards to the 19-yard line. On the next play, Kelly threw a touchdown pass to Makai Polk for a 7-0 lead with 10:33 left to conclude a six-play drive for 59 yards.
For the rest of the first quarter, Toronto’s offense had 78 yards, and B.C.’s offense had 71 yards. Chad Kelly had a nice first quarter, going 6 of 8 for 80 yards and one touchdown, while B.C. quarterback Chase Brice was 3 of 6 for 28 yards and one carry for four yards. The Argonauts led the Lions 7-0 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Lions moved the ball to the 10-yard line before kicker Sean Whyte made a 17-yard field goal. It was now 7-3 with 14:14 left. Toronto would get those points back when kicker Brady Lidster made a 37-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead with 11:02 left.
B.C. quarterback Chase Brice threw three passes for 48 yards to the 22-yard line before the drive stalled. Kicker Sean Whyte made his second field goal of the game for 30 yards. It was now 10-6 with 7:50 left. In Toronto’s next possession, Chad Kelly threw two passes for nine yards, plus an offside penalty on B.C. moved the ball to the 54-yard line.
Kelly threw a 12-yard pass to Kevin Mital, followed by throwing a 44-yard touchdown pass to Makai Polk for a 17-6 lead with 5:55 left on a five-play drive for 64 yards. With the touchdown, Makai Polk became the league leader in touchdown receptions.
Late in the second quarter, Chad Kelly ran for five yards before getting hit by Darnell Sankey. Kelly left the game with a neck injury and did not return. The Argonauts had a chance to add three more points, but ran out of time. They led 17-6 at halftime.
Toronto’s offense had 245 yards. Chad Kelly completed 15 of 18 passes (83%) for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and one carry for five yards. Running back Isaiah Smith had one carry for 11 yards. Wide receiver Makai Polk made three catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, while Damonte Coxie made five catches for 67 yards.
B.C.’s offense had 134 yards. Chase Brice was 8 of 14 for 89 yards, and one carry for four yards. Running back James Butler had nine carries for 41 yards, while Zander Horvath had three carries for three yards, and one catch for 32 yards. Wide receiver Jermaine Jackson made three catches for 28 yards, and Kieran Poissant made one catch for 14 yards.
Nick Arbuckle was the new quarterback for Toronto to begin the third quarter. It was the kickers who did all the scoring in the second half. In the third quarter, Toronto kicker Brady Lidster made a 24-yard field goal and a 47-yard field goal, while B.C. kicker Sean Whyte made a 27-yard field goal. The Argonauts led 23-9 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Toronto kicker Brady Lidster made a 48-yard field goal, and B.C. kicker Sean Whyte made a 34-yard field goal. Late in the game, B.C. replaced Chase Brice with Kaidon Salter. With 1:44 left, Salter led the offense to the one-yard line before time ran out. The Argonauts snapped a three-game losing streak with a 26-12 win.
Toronto’s offense had 373 yards (331 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, 21 yards lost), 25 first downs, 1 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized eight times for 57 yards. Quarterback Nick Arbuckle completed 13 of 20 passes (65%) for 134 yards, and two carries for 34 yards. Running back Isaiah Smith had five carries for 19 yards. Wide receiver Makai Polk made four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while Damonte Coxie made six catches for 77 yards. The defense made 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, and four sacks. Kicker Brady Lidster made 4 of 5 field goals (80%) with a long of 48 yards, and made two extra points.
B.C.’s offense had 320 yards (284 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, 23 yards lost), 20 first downs, 0 for 2 in the redzone, and the team was penalized six times for 65 yards. Quarterback Chase Brice completed 14 of 25 passes (56%) for 163 yards, and one carry for four yards, while Kadon Salter completed 9 of 15 passes (60%) for 121 yards, and four carries for 12 yards.
Running back James Butler had 10 carries for 40 yards. Wide receiver Justin McInnis made six catches for 89 yards, and Keon Hatcher made six catches for 64 yards. The defense made 42 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Next Thursday, the B.C. Lions visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 8:30 pm on TSN and CFL+, while the Toronto Argonauts are on a bye week.
