Toronto, Ontario – BMO Field.
The 2024 Toronto Argonauts open their season at home (Sunday, June 9th)vs the BC Lions one of the favorite teams to win the 2024 Grey Cup this season. The Argonauts are coming off a 1-1 pre-season and wrapped up their training camp at the University of Guelph and last year finished the season with a record 16-2 record before losing at home to Montreal in the East Finals.
The Argonauts in the Ryan Dinwiddie era are 3-0 in season openers and 3-0 in home openers. This year’s Argonauts team will have a new starting QB in Cameron Dukes back-up by Nick Arbuckle (veteran) and 3rd string QB Bryan Scott. The Argos are 4-2 overall vs B.C starting QB Vernon Wells Jr and the Lions are coming off a very competitive season in 2023 losing in the West Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-13.
The Argonauts due to some free agency losses and a CFL 9 game suspension of QB Chad Kelly, have a number of new players in their lineup this evening on a perfect night for football off of Lake Ontario (16c) with the flags blowing from the wind.
The visiting BC Lions start on offence first led by QB Vernon Adams Jr. The Argonauts on a McManus sack of Adams, forces the Lions to punt on their first possession of the game.
The Toronto Argonauts on their 3rd possession struck for a 8 yard touchdown pass by Cameron Dukes to RB Ka’Deem Carey on a impressive drive and take a 6-0 lead over the visiting B.C Lions on a 10 play drive for 84 yards in just over 5 minutes towards the end of the 1st QB, the extra point try by kicker Liram Hajrullahu was no good.
The Lions respond with a impressive on a 9 play, 74 yard drive capped off by a Adams Jr 29 yard TD pass to WR Justin McInnis tie the game up at 6-6 and another missed extra point. The Lions after another TD, scored on a fumble recovery (Debaille) off a sack of Argos QB Cameron Dukes (20 yards) and now lead the Argos 20-6 with just under 8 minutes last in the 1st half.
The Argos defense on a tipped pass interception by DaShaun Amos take over the football with just over 5 minutes left in the 1st half. The Argos capitalize on the interception on a nice 21 yard TD pass to WR Rasheed Bailey, the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber and with the extra point was good to cut the Lions lead 20-13 with just under 90 seconds.
The BC lions on a 3rd and 1 gamble, fumble the ball and recovered ball but were short and the Argos take over the ball with 50 seconds left in the 1st half in a very entertaining first half at BMO Field. The Argos again capitalize off a BC turnover with a 37 yard FG by Liram Hajrullahu, to end the 1st half with the Lions leading 20-16. The Argos in the 1st half had 232 yards and Cameron Dukes was solid 14 for 17 for 183 yards and 2 TD passes.
The Toronto Argonauts start the second half with impressive TD pass of 26 yards from Dukes to Daniels and the Argos regain the lead over the visiting BC lions 23-20 on 7 play, 67 yards in just over 3 minutes and the boatmen have scored 17 straight points vs BC. The Lions tie up the game on a 36 yard FG by Sean Whyte and we are back even at 23-23.
Toronto’s Liram Hajrullahu, with a 35 yard FG gives Toronto the lead at 26-23 on a 34 yard FG into a strong wind coming off Lake Ontario. BC cuts the lead to 26-24 on a 42 yard single point with less than 30 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
The BC Lions regain the lead again on a 51 yard FG Sean Whyte in windy conditions at BMO Field and the Lions now ahead 27-26 in 9 plays in 3:36 into the 4th quarter.
The Toronto Argonauts rallied in the 4th outscoring BC 9-3 and won their season & home opener 35-27 over a very good BC Lions in a very competitive and entertaining game. QB Cameron Dukes, looked comfortable in the pocket, making good decisions with the football and checking down when he needed to do so and was able to move out of the pocket for 5 carries for 37 yards. The Argos rallied from a 20-6 deficit vs BC late in the 2nd quarter and outscored the Lions 30-7 to get their first win of the season.
My Toronto Argonauts three stars of the game: Jared Brinkman, with 2 sacks and was a force on the defensive line the entire game, QB Cameron Dukes 21/27 for 254 yards, 3 TD’s and 0 interceptions and 37 yards rushing, and my 3rd star running back Ka’Deem Carey who rushed for 16 attempts for 65 yards and receiving had 4 catches for 40 yards and a TD reception.
Tonight’s season opener crowd at BMO field was 12, 767 fans on a perfect night for football at BMO Field 16 C with a strong breeze which affected a few extra point tries in my opinion.
Please check out my pre-game interview with Ben Grant, Toronto Argonauts analyst on TSN 1050 and post-game interviews with Argos Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie and wide receiver #88 Rasheed Bailey who had 5 catches for 50 yards and 1 TD in his Argos debut coming from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Please click on the link to my You Tube channel links below:
The https://www.argonauts.ca/ have a bye week and their next game will be back home at https://www.bmofield.com/ on Saturday, June 22nd at 7pm vs the https://www.goelks.com/ led by former Argos McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Kurleigh Gittens Jr, and you can get your tickets at: https://www.argonauts.ca/
Please check out my official website at: https://beacons.ai/chrisdpomay and my You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chrispomaylivewithcdpsport5517/streams You can view some game day photo’s below:
Live With CDP Podcast 