Argonauts Secure Narrow Victory Over Roughriders

TORONTO — Lirim Hajrullahu successfully executed a single on the last play of the game, allowing the Toronto Argonauts to claim a 20-19 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday.

The Roughriders gained possession at their eight-yard line, but following a quarterback sack and an incomplete pass, they punted the ball from their one-yard line with just 26 seconds remaining.

Janarion Grant’s 12-yard punt return moved the Argonauts to the 37-yard line with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter. On second down, Hajrullahu missed a 40-yard field goal attempt, but the subsequent single point secured the win for the Argos (6-4).

The Roughriders (5-5-1) have not won in their last five outings (0-4-1). This game marked the first appearance of quarterback Chad Kelly this season, following a two-game suspension for violating the Canadian Football League’s policy on gender-based violence.

The suspension stemmed from an independent investigation related to a lawsuit filed by a former fitness coach against Kelly and the Argonauts, which was settled in June through mediation involving all parties.

Kelly, who was named the league’s Most Outstanding Player last season, was making his first start since the Argonauts’ defeat to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final last November. He appeared somewhat rusty, completing 24 of 39 passes for 322 yards with one interception.

The Argonauts entered the fourth quarter trailing 16-10, but a 30-yard field goal from Hajrullahu quickly narrowed the gap to 16-13. The Toronto team then had the chance to score a touchdown, having reached just one yard from the end zone; however, Kelly was stopped twice on the ground before Ka’Deem Carey also failed to cross the line.

With just over five minutes remaining, Hajrullahu tied the game at 16-16, but Brett Lauther responded with a 36-yard field goal to put the Riders back ahead 19-16 with 2:05 left on the clock.

Hajrullahu brought both teams back to an even score at 19-19 with a 50-yard field goal with only 62 seconds remaining.

KeeSean Johnson scored the only touchdown for the Riders, while Lauther contributed the remaining 13 points with a conversion and four field goals.

Cameron Dukes scored the touchdown for the Argonauts. Hajrullahu was responsible for the rest of the points with the conversion, the winning single, and four field goals.