McManis returns interception for decisive TD as Argos rally to down Riders 30-24
WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Wynton McManis returned an interception 50 yards for a landing to rally the Toronto Argonauts to a 30-24 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in an entertaining however typically chippy Landing Atlantic sport Saturday afternoon.
McManis stepped in entrance of a Cody Fajardo move and ran untouched to the endzone at 12:54 of the fourth quarter. Moments later, McLeod Bethel-Thompson discovered Brandon Banks for the two-point convert to place Toronto forward 30-24.
Shaq Richardson cemented the win for Toronto, intercepting Fajardo with 26.8 seconds remaining.
Toronto (2-2) halted an eight-game dropping streak versus Saskatchewan (4-2) earlier than an enthusiastic Raymond Discipline gathering of 10,886. This marked the first-ever CFL regular-season sport performed in Nova Scotia.
Saskatchewan made it attention-grabbing as Fajardo’s 32-yard TD move to Duke Williams at 6:01 tied the rating 21-21. Then at 10:19, Brett Lauther’s 31-yard discipline objective gave Saskatchewan a three-point benefit.
The fireworks started through the pre-game warmup when Williams and Richardson squared off. A video confirmed Williams choosing up Richardson’s helmet and throwing it at him earlier than the 2 gamers have been separated.
There have been no penalties introduced as soon as the sport started, and each Williams and Richardson have been on the sector with their respective models.
Simply prior to 2 flyovers by a Canadian Armed Pressured helicopter — through the nationwide anthem, then previous to kickoff — the Riders scratched defensive finish AC Leonard. That was important because the CFL’s top-ranked defence was already minus beginning defensive linemen Pete Robertson (foot) and Garrett Marino (suspended).
Toronto working again Andrew Harris achieved a profession milestone. The 12-year veteran moved move Corridor of Fame receiver Milt Stegall into fourth in all-time yards from scrimmage.
Harris got here into the sport needing 46 yards to maneuver previous Stegall (15,209). Within the third quarter, Harris took a move within the backfield from Bethel-Thompson, headed upfield after which hurdled a Saskatchewan defender for an 18-yard achieve.
That gave Harris 57 internet offensive yards from the scrimmage at that time.
Toronto’s Boris Bede opened the second half with a 42-yard discipline objective at 7:02 of the third. It capped a 12-play drive to open the second half however got here after Bethel-Thompson needed to recuperate an errant snap to successfully finish a promising march.
DaVaris Daniels and Cam Phillips had Toronto’s different touchdowns. Bede booted two converts, two discipline targets and a single, whereas John Haggerty added a single.
Jamal Morrow had Saskatchewan’s different landing. Lauther, of Truro, N.S., had three discipline targets, two converts and a single.
Saturday’s sport was the sixth within the Landing Atlantic sequence however first since 2019. RisePEI hosted Toronto and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an ’05 exhibition sport that ended tied 16-16.
The final 4 Landing Atlantic video games have been regular-season encounters staged in Moncton, N.B.
Seating capability at Raymond Stadium was elevated from about 3,000 to over 10,000. And the competition definitely had a university really feel to it.
The afternoon begin in sensible sunshine, and music blaring from audio system positioned in a single endzone created an upbeat, festive ambiance. The turf discipline attracted loads of warmth however, mercifully, a persistent breeze supplied well timed aid.
Some followers arrived three hours earlier than kickoff to sit down on the momentary units and watch gamers on each groups getting a really feel for the turf and their environment. Others walked on the observe surrounding the sector and lean on fences to get a better have a look at the pre-game warmups.
Given the shut proximity of the fences to crew benches, some spectators have been in a position to name out to close by gamers and chat briefly with them. An accommodating Fajardo posed for photographs with followers earlier than trotting on to the sector for pre-game warmup.
Rider Nation was properly represented given the abundance of inexperienced scattered all through Raymond Stadium, not stunning as Saskatchewan followers have all the time travelled properly in help of their crew. And CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie could possibly be seen strolling across the facility, urgent the flesh and casually talking with individuals.
Atlantic Canada has lengthy been talked about as a possible touchdown spot for a CFL growth franchise. RisePEI obtained a conditional crew within the Eighties but it surely by no means turned operational.
Earlier than the 2018 Gray Cup sport in Edmonton, the CFL revealed tentative plans so as to add a tenth crew in RisePEI. Initially, the hope was to have the Atlantic Schooners on the sector by 2021 in Moncton whereas a brand new stadium was being constructed within the Nova Scotia capital.
The possession group had secured $20 million in authorities funding to construct a facility earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic resulted. However Schooner Sports activities and Leisure hasn’t been concerned in any CFL occasions this week, reportedly as a result of growth into RisePEI is not imminent.
Bede’s 12-yard discipline objective capped an entertaining second quarter and staked Toronto to its 17-14-half-time lead. It got here after Fajardo pulled Saskatchewan even with a 13-yard TD move to Morrow at 13:59, a drive stored alive by a move interference name on Richardson following a third-down incompletion.
Bethel-Thompson’s 40-yard TD move to Phillips at 12:35 put Toronto forward 14-7. Bethel Thompson discovered Daniels on a seven-yard scoring move simply 38 seconds into the second however Lauther pulled Saskatchewan even with a 30-yard discipline objective at 4:42.
Lauther’s single off a missed 42-yard discipline objective opened the scoring at 3:54 of the primary. He related from 36 yards out at 12:35.
Toronto and Saskatchewan will not have to attend lengthy to see one another once more. The Argos are in Regina subsequent weekend.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed July 16, 2022.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
