The Toronto Argonauts scored a much-needed victory when they won the front end of a back-to-back with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Six days later, the two participants in last season’s Grey Cup meet again when Toronto travels to Winnipeg.
The Argonauts posted a 31-17 victory at home on Saturday behind Nick Arbuckle’s 316 passing yards and two touchdown tosses.
It was a big win for Toronto (2-5), which needs to string together some victories if it hopes to successfully defend its CFL title. The Argos beat the Blue Bombers 41-24 in last year’s championship clash.
“Every win is important, especially when it ends a losing streak,” Arbuckle said after the club ended a two-game slide. “It’s a critical part of the season. We’re trying to turn things around and build some momentum, so it was important.”
Arbuckle has passed for 2,007 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year. His time as the starter will continue after 2023 CFL Most Outstanding Player Chad Kelly was placed on the six-game injured list last weekend due to the serious leg injury he sustained late last season.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros threw two picks and was pulled at halftime against Toronto. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player failed to finish the previous contest against the Calgary Stampeders due to a neck injury and has been ruled out of the rematch after aggravating the injury.
Chris Streveler will draw the start. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown last week.
“We like what he can do,” Blue Bombers coach Mike O’Shea said of Streveler. “We like his leadership. He steps in there and he’s a pro and he wants to do very well for his teammates. That part of it is so important to him.”
Winnipeg (3-3) has dropped its past three games by a total of 56 points, but star running back Brady Oliveira cautioned that there is plenty of time for the club to find its stride.
After all, the Blue Bombers lost their first four games last season and were later 2-6 before ending up in the Grey Cup.
“Right now is not the time to panic and not the time to start freaking out or worrying about the three losses in a row,” said Oliveira, who had 82 yards on 13 carries in last week’s contest. “There’s still so much time left. We’re going to start clicking and it’s just a matter of time, and once we start clicking, who says we can’t go on a nice little run, a nice little heater — we did it last year.
“Again, it’s different this year to last year, but we’ve done it before, so why can’t it be done again this year?”
–Field Level Media
