Rookie Dion PellerinB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s two-point convert earned the Toronto Argonauts a stirring 31-29 overtime win over the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday afternoon.
The first-year running back hauled in McLeod Bethel-ThompsonB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s pass after Antonio PipkinB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s one-yard TD run. The score came after B.C.B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Marcus Sayles was flagged for pass interference in the endzone.
The Lions countered with Michael ReillyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 32-yard TD strike to Jacob Scarfone but ReillyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s two-point conversion attempt to Shaq Johnson fell incomplete. The win clinched Toronto (7-4) an East Division berth.
B.C. (4-7) suffered a fifth straight loss after kicker Jimmy Camacho missed three field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter. The Lions went to overtime after CamachoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 37-yard boot to win the game instead went for the single on the final play of regulation.
CamachoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 49-yard try with 53 seconds remaining was tipped by TorontoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Dexter McCoil Sr. Camacho also missed from 37 yards out at 9:51, the ensuing single cutting TorontoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s lead to 23-22.
Toronto remained unbeaten at home (5-0), delighting the announced BMO Field gathering of 9,011 on an overcast, cool afternoon. The Argos improved to 5-2 under starter Bethel-Thompson, who was 23-of-37 for just 155 yards with a TD and interception.
Reilly was 20-of-38 passing for three TD passes and an interception.
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B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·” BC LIONS (@BCLions)
It was the first of two straight road games in Ontario for the Lions. TheyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ll visit Hamilton next Friday before finishing their regular season hosting Calgary and Edmonton.
DaVaris Daniels scored TorontoB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s touchdown. Boris Bede booted five field goals, a convert and single.
Obum Gwacham, Bryan Burnham and Dominique Rhymes scored B.C.B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s touchdowns. Camacho added the converts.
BedeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s fifth field goal of the game, this one from 22 yards out at 3:12, gave Toronto a 23-21 lead. Gwacham staked B.C. to a 21-20 advantage at 12:56 of the third with a 33-yard interception return TD.
BedeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 50-yard field goal at 9:33 put Toronto ahead 20-14. It came after his 52-yard punt single at 3:47.
Two late Bede field goals staked Toronto to a 16-14 half-time lead. Bede connected from 52 yards out at 14:52 of the second to give the Argos their two-point advantage after hitting a 15-yard boot at 13:39.
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Toronto settled for BedeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s chip shot following a strong defensive stand from B.C. as the Argos had the ball first and goal from the LionsB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ four-yard line.
Reilly put B.C. ahead 14-10 with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Rhymes at 8:33 of the second. The Lions were aided by three Toronto penalties for 35 yards on their possession.
Reilly pulled B.C. to within 10-7 at 13:55 of the first with a 32-yard TD pass to Burnham, culminating a four-play, 90-yard scoring drive.
Bethel-Thompson found Daniels on a 14-yard TD strike at 11:40 to put Toronto ahead 10-0 to cap a nine-play, 83-yard march. BedeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 29-yard field goal at 5:09 opened the scoring, set up by Jeff RichardsB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ 38-yard interception return to the B.C. 21-yard line.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
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