Ballhawking Bombers blow out Argos at BMO

With Clarence Denmark in full flight and their defence grabbing six turnovers, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers got to .500 with a 34-17 road win against the Toronto Argonauts on Friday.

In a week where CFL headlines were dominated by the Saskatchewan Roughriders being punished for hoarding unsigned players, one of the veterans they cut in June was the headliner. Denmark, at the end of his first full week back with the Blue Bombers, went off for seven receptions for a career-high 195 yards and two long touchdowns from Matt Nichols.

Winnipeg (4-4) scored 24 points off turnovers. Rookie cornerback Kevin Fogg made two interceptions and a fumble recovery and added a quarterback sack, while also creating field position with six punt returns for 98 yards. Hybrid linebacker Maurice Leggett also made two picks, including one he returned 98 yards for an insurance touchdown with 6:04 left in the game. Winnipeg leads the CFL with 14 interceptions.

Argonauts QB Logan Kilgore threw five interceptions in his second career CFL start. Toronto (4-3) had a nearly 43-minute scoring drought between its two touchdowns.

The Blue Bombers, who take a three-win streak into their bye in Week 9, moved on from Denmark after last season in a cost-cutting move. The 30-year-old slotback spent training camp in Saskatchewan before his release, and was out of the CFL until a string of receiver injuries led the Blue Bombers to re-sign him last week. He had only one full practice before contributing during a home win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 3.

Winnipeg was down by four points in the second quarter when Khalil Bass intercepted Kilgore at the Argonauts' 29-yard line. On the next play, Denmark froze Toronto linebacker Keon Raymond on an inside move and broke to the corner for a 29-yard TD grab and a 13-10 lead.

Fogg, who was in coverage when Toronto's Diontae Spencer caught a 62-yard touchdown from Kilgore in the first quarter, got payback by getting inside position on Spencer for an interception 4:43 into the third quarter. On the ensuing possession, Nichols put together a 12-play, 93-yard drive that Andrew Harris punctuated with a 4-yard scoring rush.

Denmark scored a 79-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

Harris took over the CFL rushing lead after carrying 19 times for 123 yards and one TD. Nichols, who is 3-0 as a starter, was 17-of-28 for 246 yards with two TDs and one interception. Justin Medlock was 2-for-2 on field goals, running his streak of successful kicks to 14.

Kilgore was 26-of-44 for a very hollow 303 yards. Spencer, making his belated season debut after missing time with a hairline fracture in his back, had eight receptions for 111 yards. Lirim Hajrullahu was 1-for-1 on field goals.

Argonauts coach Scott Milanovich gave Kilgore a mercy pull with 3:07 left. Backup Cody Fajardo and rookie wide receiver Llevi Noel connected on a window-dressing 34-yard touchdown with 2:02 remaining. Noel, who played in the Ontario Varsity Football League last season, made his first two CFL catches.

On top of the Argos' third defeat in four home games at BMO Field, they also lost a key national starter. Outside linebacker Cory Greenwood was taken off the field by cart during the final two minutes.

The Argonauts host the Edmonton Eskimos (3-4) on Aug. 20. Winnipeg comes back from its bye with a visit to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 26.