VANCOUVER – Ricky Ray threw for two touchdowns as the Toronto Argonauts beat the B.C. Lions 40-23 in CFL action Friday night.
Toronto posted only its third win over B.C. in 14 meetings since 2008.
The Argos (4-8) gained sole possession of first place in the East Division as they won for the first time in last five games. The Lions (7-5) suffered their first loss in three outings as their home record dropped to 3-4.
Rookie LaVon Brazill, Steve Slaton, Curtis Steele and Chad Owens — who returned after missing two games with a leg injury — scored Toronto’s touchdowns as the Argos led from start to finish. Toronto’s remaining points came via Swayze Waters and a safety conceded by B.C.
The Lions got touchdowns on receptions from Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham, and another score on a one-yard plunge from backup quarterback John Beck. Kicker Paul McCallum accounted for the other B.C. points.
Kevin Glenn completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
The Argos were solid throughout, showing few signs of fatigue after they stayed out west instead of returning home following a tough loss in Calgary last weekend in which they squandered a 29-3 lead — the largest in their history.
The visitors opened the scoring on a 64-yard Waters single on their first drive of the game.
Waters helped the Argos get points from their second drive, too, as he booted a 53-yard field goal to put them ahead 4-0. It was the longest field goal in the CFL this season.
The Argos increased their lead early in the second quarter as Ray connected with Brazill on a 30-yard touchdown pass.
One series after the Lions got on the scoreboard from a McCallum missed field goal attempt, Ray threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Owens that staked the Argos to an 18-1 lead.
Arceneaux’s 20-yard touchdown and a single off another McCallum missed field goal reduced that advantage. But late in the second quarter, Waters kicked a 45-yard field goal to put the Argos ahead 21-9 at half-time.
Notes: Former Lions Jamie Taras and Brent Johnson were inducted into the club’s ring of honour and had their jerseys retired. … Brazill’s TD was the first of his CFL career. He was signed by Toronto in August. … B.C. defensive back Ryan Phillips played his 173rd consecutive game after his status was in doubt because of a hamstring injury. … The Argos have only one road game remaining, at Montreal on Nov. 2. … Lions receiver Courtney Taylor will require surgery on the foot he injured last weekend against Winnipeg and could be lost for the season.
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