First-to-worst Argonauts brace for high-powered Lions

The Toronto Argonauts have fallen from hoisting the Gray Cup in November to sporting the CFL’s worst document as they put together to host the B.C. Lions on Saturday.

Toronto (2-8) has dropped three straight video games, together with a 28-20 resolution final week at Edmonton. The Argonauts are additionally permitting a league-worst 32.0 factors per sport getting into Week 12.

“The place we’re at within the season, we will not afford to lose any extra video games,” Argos coach Ryan Dinwiddie stated after the loss in Edmonton. “Generally, I really feel like we’re simply snake-bitten.”

Toronto is probably not getting plenty of breaks however a lot of its issues are self-inflicted. A faux punt with two minutes left at Edmonton fell quick, resulting in an Elks’ area purpose. The Argos additionally needed to accept two quick area objectives after twice getting contained in the Elks’ 20-yard line through the first half.

Wasted within the newest loss was a 382-yard passing efficiency by quarterback Nick Arbuckle.

“I assumed Nick gave us an opportunity to win,” Dinwiddie stated.

Whereas Toronto is struggling, the Lions (5-5) have discovered their footing. They’re coming off a 36-18 pummeling of Montreal final weekend, their second straight win and fourth in six video games.

B.C. has lit up scoreboards with consistency, averaging 33.8 factors over the past 5 video games as quarterback Nathan Rourke and working again James Butler have performed like stars.

The Lions’ offensive line has permitted a league-low 10 sacks whereas serving to the workforce churn out a league-best 5.8 yards per carry and a CFL-best 428.1 yards of offense per sport.

“I believe I’ve seen some development and I’ve seen (with) some guys … some gentle bulbs begin to come on a bit, which is sweet,” Lions coach Buck Pierce stated. “However we have to simply proceed to raise the group up. And everybody else will get to that degree.”

Saturday’s sport is the primary assembly between the groups this yr. They’ll meet once more in Vancouver on Sept. 26.

–Area Stage Media