The Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts are off to a running start, while the visiting BC Lions will provide an early test, in a meeting of undefeated teams Monday night.
Led by quarterback Chad Kelly, the Argonauts (2-0) are averaging a CFL-best 152 yards rushing per game. Last season, they averaged a league-worst 81.7 yards.
The Argonauts have scored seven rushing TDs with Kelly and running back A.J. Ouellette accounting for three each to tie for the CFL lead in the early going.
“We’re fast and we’re physical,” Kelly said. “I think we’re smart and we’re using our strengths to our advantage.”
The Lions (3-0) will enter the game having allowed 211.7 offensive yards per game, a league low. That total includes 76.7 rushing yards per game.
“You can tell (the Argonauts are) committing to run the ball and they come downhill with authority,” Lions head coach Rick Campbell said. “They’re really going to make you step up and be sound in your gaps but also have to be physical.
“I know (Toronto coach) Ryan Dinwiddie would always want to be able to run the ball well. I think he’s always going to commit to running the ball enough and their running backs always tend to fall forward or get yards after contact, which obviously is a big deal. Second and four is a lot different than second and seven.”
Dinwiddie said the return from injury of left tackle Isiah Cage, and left guard Ryan Hunter having the benefit of a full training camp, contributed to the line’s overall play in the first two games of the season.
“I think we’re running the ball downhill between the tackles,” Dinwiddie said. “We’re mixing a few gap schemes and we’ve had good success with that.
“The fact we have Chad (Kelly) in there as well, now he’s a threat where we can zone read and run the football and not throw it all the time. Getting Isiah back healthy to start the season was big,”
Cage (thigh) was listed as out for the game on Monday, however. Linebacker Jordan Williams (knee) and defensive back Eric Sutton (knee) also are listed as out for Toronto. Defensive back Robert Priester (ankle) was designated as doubtful.
BC receiver Lucky Whitehead (hamstring) will not play on Monday.
–Field Level Media
