Toronto Argonauts rally past Stampeders off Javon Leake's punt return touchdown

Chad Kelly had to overcome some early mistakes by using his big playmaking ability as the Toronto Argonauts knocked off the Calgary Stampeders 39-31 at BMO Field Friday night.

Kelly completed 20-of-31 passes for 360 yards for three touchdowns but also threw two interceptions. Jake Maier produced his best game of the season with 384 yards and four touchdowns against a Toronto defence that had their struggles in this game.

Both teams produced big offensive numbers and had their fair share of big plays in this game with each side producing four plays of 20-yards or more.

However, it was punt returner Javon Leake who had the game-changing play to end the back-and-forth affair late in the fourth quarter. Leake would turn on the jets for an 86-yard game-winning return touchdown.

Leake would set a new Argos record for punt return touchdowns in a single season with the score and add to his candidacy for special teams player of the year.

Reggie Begelton had a big day for Calgary putting up 203 yards on nine receptions and two touchdowns. In his return to the lineup, Damonte Coxie had three receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.

The Argos also relied on their rushing ability with 116 yards on the ground including 82 yards on 13 carries A.J. Ouellette.

The Argonauts looked like they were going to quickly put up six points on their first drive as they were on the goal line within the first two plays of the game. An errant throw by Kelly was intercepted by Nick Taylor to end a promising drive.

After a couple of back-and-forth drives the Argos would get on the board as they went with a heavy mix of Andrew Harris who caught his first touchdown pass of the season.

Despite putting up 152 yards of offence in the first quarter Toronto only had seven points to show for it which is why the interception on the goal line was a crucial turnover early in the game.

Ouellette continued his dominant half with a trio of runs that got Toronto in the redzone. Kelly would call his own number on a fake handoff to Harris and walk into the endzone for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.

It was clear that Toronto wanted to take a page out of Calgary’s book and control the time of possession. At one point in the game, the Argos had 79 yards on the ground which was more than the net offensive yards the Stampeders had (34 yards).

Calgary would get the big play they were looking for as Marken Michel would get behind the secondary for a 65-yard reception.

The Argos would try to respond to the touchdown but Kelly would get picked off after attempting a throw in double coverage and getting picked off by Darius Williams.

Toronto’s defence would be dealt with a big blow with DeShaun Amos getting his ankle rolled on. Trainers would have to stabilize the injury before a cart took him off the field.

After the delay, it looked like the Argos defence would force the Stampeders to settle for a field goal but a procedure penalty gave Calgary a first down. On the next play, Maier would find Luther Hakunavanhu for an 18-yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14.

Toronto would put up three points late in the second quarter with a 39-yard field by Boris Bede to get back on track after consecutive touchdowns by Calgary.

Former Argos receiver Markeith Ambles would see some action against his former team by getting an important first down. Another breakdown by the secondary with backup Josh Haggerty tripping allowed Begelton to go untouched into the endzone for a 39-yard touchdown to make it 21-17 Calgary.

Kelly and the offence would get back on track on the first play following the Stampeders' touchdown with Damonte Coxie getting wide open for a 67-yard touchdown to retake the lead at 24-21.

Looking at the stat sheet after the first half, you would think both teams put up enough offensive production for an entire game. Toronto would went into the locker room with 326 net offensive yards while Calgary answered with 220 yards.

It was not a great start to the second half for the Argos defence as they gave a pair of solid runs before Begelton got by Qwan'tez Stiggers, who looked like he expected help behind him, for a 47-yard touchdown.

Dinwiddie decided to get creative with his play calling with Kelly’s handoff to Ouellette getting tossed back to him on a flea flicker and the Argos quarterback sending it deep to DaVaris Daniels for a 54-yard touchdown pass.

Begelton continued his big game with a 45-yard catch up the middle which set the stage for Rene Paredes to tie the game at 31-31. Haggerty left the game after defending a play in the endzone.

Toronto was down to their third option at safety with rookie Jonathan Edouard in the game. As he would injure himself on an attempted tackle, walking off the field favouring his left arm/shoulder.

Energized by the big play punt return by Leake, the Argos would get back-to-back sacks to force a Calgary punt late in the fourth. They also came through with a turnover on downs as the Stampeders tried to get back in the game.