There's always next year – Argos lose 25-22 to Winnipeg Blue Bombers
· Toronto Sun
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Four decades on and Nora is as ardent an Argos fan as you will find.
“My mother tells me a story about being nine months pregnant (with me), sitting in Exhibition Stadium, rooting for the Argos,” the longtime season-ticket holder told the Toronto Sun prior to game time. “They’re both in their 80s now, and I’ve been coming with them ever since, so it’s been great.”
But it wasn’t all great news on Saturday afternoon for Nora and the 21,786 fans in attendance as the Argos lost 25-22 in the Eastern Division semi-final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BMO Field.
Former Blue Bomber Janarion Grant dropped the ball on the turf returning a punt at the Argos 52-yard line with 1:42 remaining in the game and the Argos up 22-17. Nick Hallett recovered the ball for the visitors.
Five plays later, Winnipeg quarterback Dru Brown found Nik Demski near the back line with a 22-yard pass for the winning score. Demski also converted the two-point conversion to close out the scoring.
Brown threw for 206 yards and two scores. He completed 18 of 30 passes.
With the setback, the boatmen are denied a trip to Montreal to face the Alouettes in the division final next weekend.
The Argos did set a new attendance record on Saturday, so that is a win. The previous mark before this year was 18,842.
Very enjoyable experience
Many fans used the sunny and warm Halloween afternoon as an excuse to dress up.
And there was plenty of originality on display milling around the concourse.
One man was dressed as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, his young son the cowardly lion.
The mid-40’s something Argos fan will rebound in time for next season.
“It’s very enjoyable football, the players are professional, the most enjoyable football and easily accessible,” Nora said. “Everyone I have brought to a game has come back for another game.”
QB Chad Kelly left in fourth quarter
Chad Kelly had a modest day behind centre for the Argos, completing 18 of 30 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 316.7 passing yards per game during the regular season.
Kelly left the game in the fourth quarter. He did not return. He was replaced by Nick Arbuckle. Arbuckle went 2-for-6 for 25 yards.
The last time the Argos won a home playoff game happened two seasons ago when they beat the Ottawa Redblacks 58-38 on the way to a Grey Cup win over the Bombers.
The double blue went on the road and beat the Alouettes in the division final on the way to the big dance at BC Place in Vancouver.
Despite a pedestrian day for Kelly, Argos supporter Mike is a fan of the gunslinger and sees many more successful seasons with him piloting the offence.
“When he’s healthy, Kelly is the centre of the team, and when that’s good, I think all things are flowing,” Mike said.
In the end, Mike didn’t get what he wanted, but he did say there was no better place to be in late October with thousands of other like-minded Argos fans.
“(How can you beat) sunny weather and the playoffs?” he said.