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Toronto Argonauts

Owens' Crazy Catch Cements Argos Win over RedBlacks

October 7, 2015 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Trevor Harris
Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Trevor Harris
(Toronto Argonauts)

OTTAWA - Trevor Harris engineered a last-minute touchdown drive finished off by a miraculous one-handed catch by Chad Owens as the Toronto Argonauts outlasted the Ottawa REDBLACKS in a 38-35 thriller at TD Place.

Despite leading most of the contest, Harris calmly marched the Argos down the field from deep in his own end, connected with Anthony Coombs for 15 yards before sending a lob toss to Owens in behind coverage. Owens stretched out and stabbed the pigskin with his right hand, recording not only the game-winning touchdown but potentially the play of the year in the process.

Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton are now all tied for first place in the East Divison with records of 8-5.

Eventhough he threw two interceptions, Harris was dominant in the winning effort, passing for 397 yards on 32 of 44 passing with 5 touchdowns. Running back Brandon Whitaker added 81 yards combined on 19 touches in the win.

The REDBLACKS attempted a last second hail-mary but it fell incomplete. More concerning than the loss for Ottawa could have been the health of Henry Burris who left on the second last play favouring his right arm but he confirmed post-game that he shouldn't miss any time.

Twelve days separated the last time these two teams played, with Toronto taking a Saturday night affair, along with the season series, with a 35-26 victory. Ottawa dismantled the Alouettes and the Argonauts enjoyed a bye before facing one another in a game that was slated to be a Toronto home game but moved to TD Place due to scheduling conflicts brought on with the Toronto Blue Jays baseball schedule at Rogers Centre.

Burris was coming off a career performance in his 15th CFL season while lighting up Montreal's secondary. He passed for 504 yards and set a new league record for most single-game completions with 46.

Right from the start, he picked up where he left off. On his club's first possession, Burris completed a quick pass to WR Chris Williams before connecting with WR Ernest Jackson. Jackson's 37-yard catch-and-run helped set up a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Jeremiah Johnson to give Ottawa a 7-0 lead just five plays into the game.

Harris and the Argos answered almost immediate however as the young pivot found Kevin Elliott on Toronto's first play from scrimmage for a 57-yard gain before the two notched the latter's third touchdown at TD place in two games to tie things up early.

A quick two-and-out by Burris and co. and Harris went back to work on a long field. The 29-year-old escaped the pocket on a second-and-medium and found SB Anthony Coombs down the sidelines for a 38-yard gain. Three plays later, Harris dropped a pass into WR Tori Gurley whose 15-yard over-the-shoulder grab put the Argos up 14-7.

After two offences that started on fire, both defences stepped up to force turnovers with the REDBLACKS interception two of the three picks thrown by the teams at the end of the first quarter. Both interceptions came deep in Argos territory and netted Ottawa two field goals as the first quarter wrapped up with the Boatmen on top by a point.

The defences continued to stand their ground until the second quarter got under five minutes. Harris and Whitaker attacked the REDBLACKS on the ground and in the air as a part of a 9-play drive but the Argos settled for a short field goal to increase their lead to 17-13.

Ottawa responded with a 45-yarder off the foot of Chris Milo with zeros on the clock to bring the deficit back to one.

When the REDBLACKS returned to the field, they had to do so without the League's touchdown leader in Jeremiah Johnson. The sophomore tailback left the game just before half favouring his left leg after an awkward plant on the TD Place turf. He was replaced by Kansas State product William Powell who was playing in just his third CFL game.

MUST WATCH: Owens' Jaw-Dropping Snag Completes Argo Comeback

Harris came out slinging on the Argonauts first drive of the second half, going 5-for-5 as a part of a 6-play, 76-yard touchdown drive. Along the way, Harris connected with Elliot for 19 and Gurley for 43 yards before finding Vidal Hazelton on a throw-behind for the touchdown and a 24-16 lead.

Hazelton was the focus of a roster change last week for head coach Scott Milanovich who decided to bench his star receiver for what was expected to be disciplinary reasons. Toronto dressed Dionte Spencer instead but with some ratio-juggling was able to get them both on the roster for this one.

The REDBLACKS forced a two-and-out off the strength of a Zack Evans sack and got the ball back in good field position. They were able to muster another Milo field goal but in complete contrast to last week vs. Montreal, Burris and the offence were unable to find the endzone until that point.

On the next possession however, they would finally capitalize. A slant toss from Harris was caught by Hazelton but then fumbled and immediately recovered by REDBLACKS DB Abdul Kanneh who recorded his second turnover of the contest.

Burris promptly fired a deep ball to WR Greg Ellingson who came down with a 32-yard reception in the endzone to give Ottawa their first lead since the opening possession, 26-24 as the third quarter came to a close.

Looking to answer, Harris once again relied on his veteran tailback Whitaker. After the two connected underneath for a pair of gains, Harris scrambled to find Owens for 22 yards. Following a pass interference penalty on the REDBLACKS, Whitaker reeled in a four yard pass and fell into the endzone to re-take the lead 31-26.

High Five: Harris tosses five majors in Argos win

Even though he threw two interceptions, Harris was dominant in the winning effort, passing for 397 yards on 32 of 44 passing with 5 touchdowns. Running back Brandon Whitaker added 81 yards combined on 19 touches in the win ... View Game Stats

Ottawa looked poised to cut into the lead when a 24-yard reception by Williams and an 11-yard run by Powell put them in field goal range. Milo sent the 37-yard attempt wide right though and they came away with no points.

Ottawa would gain a conceded safety on the ensuing possession with the Argos backed up.

With just over two minutes remaining, Harris took over and commanded the game-winning drive capped off with the aforementioned toss to Owens.

After playing three games in less than two weeks, Ottawa will take a much needed break before their next contest, an October 16th matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at TD Place.

The Argonauts quickly prepare for their second game of Week 16 when they travel to Montreal next Monday to take on the Alouettes on Thanksgiving Day.

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Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Trevor Harris
Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Trevor Harris
   

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