Argos knock off turnover-prone RedBlacks, take East lead

The Toronto Argonauts completed the challenge of facing the Ottawa RedBlacks on a short week with first-time starting quarterback Logan Kilgore, taking a 23-20 road win and the East Division lead Sunday.

As so often happens in two teams' second game in a short span, opportunistic defence ruled the day. The Argonauts (4-2) sealed the win with 58 seconds left when defensive back A.J. Jefferson recorded his second interception of the night, jumping a seam route to pick off Henry Burris. It was a fitting climax to a night at TD Place when Toronto, which forged ahead on Lirim Hajrullahu's 53-yard field goal with 1:15 left, had a 4-2 edge in takeaways.

Ottawa (3-2-1) scuffled offensively in Burris' return after four games out with a torn ligament in his right pinky finger and missed a golden opportunity to take a late lead. Kilgore, who was 25-of-42 for 322 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, had a pass batted by defensive end Aston Whiteside and picked off by Damaso Munoz at the Argonauts' 48-yard line with 2:43 to play. The Argonauts forced two incompletions and the RedBlacks settled for a game-tying 55-yard field goal from Chris Milo.

Burris was 20-of-34 for 218 yards, also with one TD and two picks. The 41-year-old quarterback overthrew wide receiver Chris Williams by perhaps a stride on a deep ball midway through the fourth quarter. The RedBlacks also lost a fumble in their zone in the fourth, with Ken Bishop getting free for a strip sack on Burris. Toronto converted the takeaway into a field goal.

Argos speedster Kenny Shaw made six receptions for 107 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown grab and a 41-yard catch off play action which set up a fourth-quarter field goal. Hajrullahu was 5-for-5 on field goals and added a punt single.

Brock Jensen and Ernest Jackson scored touchdowns for Ottawa. Milo was 4-for-4 on field goals, including two 50-yarders in the fourth quarter. Williams was kept relatively in check with six receptions for 55 yards, 35 of which came on a hitch pass in the third.

Ottawa blew a red-zone opportunity for the second home game in a row. Late in the first half, a promising drive went bust thanks to a holding penalty, an overturned catch, and a failed fake field goal. On the fake, holder Danny O'Brien's pass was deflected and intercepted by Jefferson.

The RedBlacks stalled on their next drive, but rookie punter Zach Medeiros pulled off a 15-yard rush to retain possession. Burris promptly found Jackson for a 28-yard reception to the Toronto 10-yard line on the next snap, setting up a short touchdown rush two plays later.

Kilgore was pressed into action after Ricky Ray injured his left knee against the Montreal Alouettes on July 24.

Ottawa hosts the Edmonton Eskimos (2-3) on Saturday. Toronto has a bye week before hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 12.