Kelly, Daniels lead offensive outburst for Toronto Argonauts in victory over Redblacks

The Toronto Argonauts offence needed an injection of energy. Chad Kelly and DaVaris Daniels provided it against the Ottawa Redblacks.

After putting up just seven points in their first loss of the season to the Calgary Stampeders, the Argos responded with a 44-31 victory at BMO Field Sunday evening.

Toronto put up 544 net offensive yards with Kelly completing 21 of 28 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Daniels hauled in six catches for 180 yards but it was his three touchdowns that were crucial in a back-and-forth affair.

"I haven't done that (three TDs in a game) since high school," Daniels said after the game. "Chad was spot on, the offensive line was amazing and the run game was great.

"That's a game we've been waiting for."

It was also a big night for Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum who completed 21 of 26 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns.

Ottawa opened the game with a 50-yard field goal from Lewis Ward as Crum started the game with four completions on five attempts for 29 yards but the highlight came off a big hit by Jamal Peters.

Toronto’s defence didn’t waste time getting the pressure on Crum recording a sack on their second possession of the game with Folarin Orimolade bringing the quarterback down.

The Argos started the game with consecutive two-and-out as Kelly failed to convert with Cam Phillips on a couple of targets on second and long.

It was Ottawa’s offence that came up with the first big play of the game with Jaelon Acklin hauling in a 55-yard touchdown pass from Crum.

Eventually, Kelly and the offence would respond with a few completions while also going with a no-huddle offence to try and get some energy in the passing game.

Kelly made sure his offensive line were recognized for their effort in the game as they did not allow a sack all game.

After getting stuffed by the Redblacks defence on his first few rushing attempts A.J. Ouellette would eventually break through with a 27-yard run. That set up a touchdown pass to DaVaris Daniels to get the Argos on the board as they trailed 10-7 late in the first quarter.

Daniels’ second catch of the game was a big one as he got behind the Redblacks secondary and Kelly found him for an easy 60-yard touchdown completion. Javon Leake got the Argos in better field possession to start their fourth offensive after a tough 34-yard punt return.

Ottawa’s offence would bounce back from the sack as Crum picked through holes in the Argos defence.  They would respond to the Daniels touchdown with one of their own as Justin Hardy’s touchdown grab would put Ottawa ahead 17-14 midway through the second quarter.

Daniels continued his strong half with a 44-yard completion which gave him three catches for 114 yards through two quarters and he would finish with 144 yards.

The Argos would then turn to Ouellette as he picked up some tough yards to get them in the redzone. Ouellette would finish the five-play, 70-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown reception as Kelly would give his running back a chance to get open with a fake run before deciding to dump it off.

With Toronto up 21-17, the defence would continue to find ways to get to Crum with Robertson Daniel picking up the third sack of the half.

Just when it looked like the Argos were going to threaten to score after a 51-yard completion to Kurleigh Gittens Jr., the officials called an unnecessary roughness penalty on offensive lineman Isiaih Cage. That pushed the Argos back to their own 39-yard line and on the next play, Kelly would throw a pick-six. That made it 24-21 Redblacks late in the second quarter with Kelly also getting penalized for objectionable conduct after running into the official.

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie wasn’t sure about the call even after the command centre made a ruling. He also didn’t appreciate some of the penalties the Argos took and will address it.

To respond, Kelly would lead Toronto down the field on a seven-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a QB sneak by Cameron Dukes giving the Argonauts a 28-24 lead going into the half.

The Argos QB would complete 11 passes for 239 yards three touchdowns and an interception after two quarters with his only blemish coming off the pick-six.

After struggling to get much going through the air, Crum had an impressive first half completing 86.7 per cent of his passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

The Argos would start to open things up in the second half with Leake using the entire field to bring back a punt 79 yards for his third return touchdown of the season to make it 34-24.

Ottawa continued to go blow-for-blow with Toronto responding to the punt return touchdown with their own scoring drive going 80 yards on eight plays to make it 34-31.

Kelly’s big night would continue with a 48-yard completion to Phillips but Ottawa would stop Ouellette on the one-yard line after Toronto decided to go for it on third down.

With the Redblacks getting the ball on their one-yard line, the Argos defence would force a two-and-out that gave the offence the ball back on the 35-yard line. A facemask call on Mike Wakefield would get Toronto into the redzone.

With Kelly scrambling, Daniels would get open and pick up his third touchdown of the game on a 14-yard catch.

Not to be overlooked was the Argos running game getting back on track with Ouellette finishing with 90 yards on 14 carries with the team recording 127 total yards on the ground.