NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Toronto Argonauts

Argos Head to Hostile Territory to Take on Tiger-Cats

August 2, 2015 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


TORONTO - Seventy kilometres.

That's the distance that the Toronto Argonauts will travel on Monday when they take on the rival Tiger-Cats in Hamilton. It's in stark contrast to the nearly 30,000 km travelled by the team on a gruelling four-game road trip to start the 2015 season.

Few expected the Argonauts to emerge with a .500 record through the first four weeks, forced to face four West Division powerhouses in hostile territory while dealing with the rigors that come with time zone changes and weeks shortened by travel.

The Argos did one better, winning three of four and positioning themselves in a tie for first place in the East Division after arguably the toughest stretch of their season.

Now Toronto comes home, or close enough to it anyway, playing in Ontario for the first time this season.

"We're excited to be in an important game in a great environment close to home," said Argos head coach Scott Milanovich. "We were talking earlier today, usually we're running from this practice to get to a plane...I don't know if guys will know what to do with themselves, having the afternoon to relax a bit"

Despite the lack of travel, the Argos will still have their work cut out for them once again this week, facing off against a Tiger-Cats team whose 2-2 record isn't necessarily indicative of their skill level or ability. The Ticats also began the 2015 season with four consecutive road games, and now return home to Tim Hortons Field, where they're undefeated through their first seven games in the new stadium.

Though he's never set foot in Tim Horton's Field, Argos DL Daryl Waud is plenty familiar with the atmosphere in Hamilton. A born and raised Tiger-Cats fan, Waud attended plenty of games at Ivor Wynne Stadium, and he understands just how much the Ticats - Argos rivalry means to Hamiltonians.

"I'm not going to be surprised at what the environment is like, I've sat in those stands before I know exactly what this rivalry's all about," said Waud. "It's going to feel special."

The matchup between the rivals includes, ironically, a matchup between friends, as quarterbacks Trevor Harris and Zach Collaros will face off for the first time as professionals. The two starting pivots were once battling for the back-up spot behind Ricky Ray, and were roommates when they first came into the CFL in 2012.

Harris, for his part, downplayed the matchup between the former teammates.

"I'd be surprised if we're on the field at the same time," he said with a laugh. "We're playing against their defence and he's playing against ours. Zach is a great quarterback, I have a ton of respect for him and he's a great friend of mine too. It'll be fun."

One matchup that the Argonauts will be sure to keep track of is on special teams, as the Tiger-Cats boast arguably the best return man in the CFL in Brandon Banks. Banks has already tallied two return touchdowns in 2015, though he's been held in check since week two.

Special teams captain James Yurichuk understands what a challenge Banks brings for the Argos coverage units, and says that stopping him is vital to achieving success in Monday's matchup.

"He goes from zero to 60 real fast; he's one of the fastest, if not the fastest guy in the league," said Yurichuk. "You've got to contain him. You don't want to let him get to that edge because it's hard to catch up to him if he gets around the corner."

They've been to the last two Grey Cups so they're doing something right on their special teams units that helping them get there," he continued. "It's a special challenge this week, and we've been going extra hard in practice. We'll be up for the task."

Though it's only week six and the two teams are playing just their fifth of 18 games, there is a palpable sense of importance surrounding Monday's matchup. An Argonauts win moves them to 4-1 and an outright lead in the East Division, while a loss brings both the Ticats and Argos to 3-2 and into a three-way tie with Ottawa.

"Obviously it's an East (Division) game and you need to win those," said Milanovich. "I don't know that anybody is feeling any pressure, we're just excited to get in there."

If there is any pressure to be felt on Monday, it is surely sitting with the home side. Undefeated at Tim Hortons Field and with the majority of CFL pundits picking a Tiger-Cats win, Milanovich believes his side enters with little to lose.

"It's my understanding that everyone thinks they're going to win, which is fine by me" said Milanovich. "Everyone expects them to win, they're at home, they've never lost there, (they've got) back to back Grey Cup appearances."

I like to be the underdog."

Check out the Toronto Argonauts Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Canadian Football League message board...

Canadian Football League Stories from August 2, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Toronto Argonauts Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central