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Eight Argos Named to 2013 East Division All-Star Team

November 6, 2013 - Canadian Football League (CFL) - Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mississauga - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that eight (8) members of the Double Blue have been named East Division All-Stars for the 2013 season. On offence, QB Ricky Ray,WR Andre Durie, WR Chad Owens,C Jeff Keeping and OG Chris Van Zeyl have all received divisional all-star nods. On defence, DT Khalif Mitchell, LB Robert McCune and CB Pat Watkins have all earned all-star honours.

Ray, who was named the Argos' nominee for Most Outstanding Player, earns his second career divisional all-star nomination (Edmonton in 2006). Ray had a banner year as a member of the Double Blue, setting and breaking multiple club and CFL records in 2013. Ray's best game statistically of 2013 came in week 18 when he passed for 505 yards and three (3) touchdowns on 39-of-45 attempts. The 39 completions were a new Argos club record for a single game, and the 21 straight passes he completed en route established another team record. His 505 yards were a single-game personal career high. Ray played in ten (10) games this season and his accuracy at the quarterback position will go down in CFL history. In 2013, Ray completed 77.2% of his passes (234-of-303) which shattered the all-time CFL record of 74% held by Dave Dickenson. In all, Ray passed for 2,878 yards (4th most in the CFL), 21 touchdowns and just two (2) interceptions in his second Argonauts season. Ray's touchdown to interception ratio (21:2) was the best amongst all CFL quarterbacks this season, and his 126.4 QB Rating was both the highest in the CFL and the highest of his career. Ray was named CFL Player of the Week twice in 2013 for his performances in week one (1) against Hamilton and week 18 against Winnipeg.

Andre Durie, who had a career year in 2013, has received his first divisional all-star award. He set personal career-highs on offence, leading the Argos in receiving yards with 986, and finishing second on the team, and second in the CFL, in receptions with 92 - just two behind fellow Argonauts teammate Chad Owens. The Mississauga, Ontario native was first in the CFL with 718 yards after catch. Durie's best game of the season statistically came in week three (3) when he had seven (7) receptions for 100 yards and one (1) touchdown for which he was named CFL Canadian Player of the Week. In total, he recorded two (2) 100+ yards receiving games, averaged more than 10 yards per catch, and hauled in at least two (2) receptions in every game in which he appeared.

Chad Owens earns his fourth consecutive division all-star award, and his second consecutive at receiver. In 2013, Owens led the league in receptions with 94, despite missing five (5) games due to injury. His best game statistically of 2013 came against Edmonton at Rogers Centre in week 8 when the Flyin' Hawaiian had nine (9) receptions for 102 yards and one (1) touchdown. Owens totalled three 100+ yards receiving games this season and had two games when he reached eleven (11) total receptions. Owens had 979 receiving yards, averaged 10.4 yards per catch, and scored three (3) receiving touchdowns.

Jeff Keeping has earned the first division all-star award of his career, selected as the East Division all-star at Centre. Starting all 18 games for the Boatmen, Keeping was part of an offensive line that blocked for multiple running backs in 2013 and saw five (5) separate players finish with over 100 total rushing yards on the year (Kackert, Collaros, Norwood, Steele & Durie). Keeping was a part of an offensive line unit that blocked for Argos quarterbacks who led the CFL in passing yards per game with 300, and allowed Ray to set a CFL record by completing 77.2% of his passes. Keeping also received his second career team award nomination, but the first as the Argos' Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Chris Van Zeyl has been named an East Division all-star at Offensive Guard for the first time in his career. He spent the majority of the season at Right Guard but returned to Right Tackle for the final three regular season games. Along with Keeping, Van Zeyl is part of an offensive line unit that blocked for Argos quarterbacks who led the CFL in passing yards per game with 300, and allowed Ray to set a CFL record by completing 77.2% of his passes. He also helped block for multiple running backs in 2013 and saw five (5) separate Argos players finish with over 100 total rushing yards on the year (Kackert, Collaros, Norwood, Steele & Durie).

Second year Argos middle linebacker Robert McCune earns his first career divisional all-star nod in his fourth CFL season. Affectionately referred to as "Hammer" by his teammates, McCune finished with a career-high 99 tackles while adding four (4) quarterback sacks and one (1) interception. McCune's best game statistically of 2013 came against the Edmonton Eskimos on September 28 when he finished with eight (8) tackles and two (2) sacks en route to helping his team capture a CFL record fourth consecutive road victory in successive weeks. A team captain, McCune started at middle linebacker in 16 games.

Khalif Mitchell has flourished since arriving in Toronto this season. A natural leader and a force on the Argos' interior line, Mitchell provided a solid veteran presence on a young defensive line while consistently performing at a high level. He finished 2013 with 32 tackles and five (5) sacks, more than doubling his totals from a season ago (15, 2 respectively). Mitchell has been named a divisional all-star once before (West, 2011).

Opposing quarterbacks often avoided throwing his way, but Pat Watkins still had a very impressive 2013 season statistically. Standing at 6-feet, 5-inches tall, Watkins provided a match-up nightmare for opposing offences. No stat is more telling of Watkins' play than his five (5) regular season interceptions, good for a third place tie in league standings. Watkins also earned his first two (2) CFL quarterback sacks while also tallying 47 defensive tackles. This is Watkins' second consecutive East Division All-Star nomination at cornerback (2012).

The 2013 Division All-Stars were selected by a group of 77 voters, including members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. The East Division All-Stars were selected by the voting members from the East Division markets, East Division head coaches and the National Chapter. The 2013 CFL All-Stars will be announced in early December.

The Double Blue will host the 2013 Eastern Final for the first time since 2007 on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available now by calling (416) 341-ARGO (2746) or by visiting ticketmaster.ca .

The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, celebrating their 140th anniversary in 2013. As Toronto's #1 community team through player involvement and community programs, the Toronto Argonauts, a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL), have 16 Grey Cup championships to their credit. For 2013 season ticket and group sales packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. For more information on the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, please visit argonauts.ca .


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