The undefeated Toronto Argonauts aim to defeat the Tiger-Cats for the second time this season when the teams reconvene Friday in Hamilton, Ontario.
Quarterback Chad Kelly rushed for three touchdowns in the Argonauts’ season-opening 32-14 victory over the Tiger-Cats on June 18.
“We know the second time is always going to be harder than the first,” Kelly told TSN 1050. “They’re (going to be) more comfortable with what we do and what we run. We’re going to get their best shot. A lot of the guys are excited to get the opportunity to go into a hostile environment and prove to them who we are.”
Kelly set season highs in completion percentage (84 percent), passing yards (351) and passing touchdowns (three) in Toronto’s 35-27 win over the Montreal Alouettes last Friday. David Ungerer III reeled in two of those scoring strikes while Damonte Coxie had the other.
While Toronto appears set at the quarterback position, Hamilton will send Taylor Powell under center for his first career CFL start.
“When the lights are on and there’s a book on you it’s always different,” Tiger-Cats coach Orlondo Steinauer said. “When you come in, in spot play, you usually catch people off guard. Teams that we play will be ready and we’re going to have to counter that.”
Powell completed 2 of 4 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in relief of the injured Matthew Shiltz (leg) during last week’s 37-29 win over the Edmonton Elks. Shiltz was placed on the six-game injured list.
Powell likely will need to light up the scoreboard for Hamilton to offset a generous defense that has permitted a CFL-high 164 points in just five games. By comparison, the winless Elks have yielded 157 points in six games.
Toronto, in turn, has scored a league second-best 155 points in just four games. That total is just seven shy of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who have played six games.
–Field Level Media
