Saskatchewan 46, Toronto 36
Game 2 at Toronto, 7/11/09:

The Riders traveled to F/K/A Skydome for a Saturday afternoon date with the Argos, who easily defeated Hamilton in Week 1. The Riders had first crack on offense and went two n’ out. On Toronto’s first possession, a costly pass interference call against Omarr Morgan gave the Argos another life and Kerry Joseph and the Argos’ offense cut through the Riders’ D like a hot knife through butter. They used the Wildcat and “Idaho” (a five-man I) with great success. Joseph hit Reggie McNeal with an 30-yard touchdown pass and Toronto was up 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Stu Foord set up the Riders well with a return to Toronto’s 45. Congi attempted a 50-yard field goal try that was blocked and Toronto ended up with the ball inside Saskatchewan’s 40. On the first play, Joseph hit Bradwell inside the 20, and the Argos settled for a field goal to make it 10-0.

The Riders looked dead in the water until a roughing the passer call gave them the ball at midfield. After a 15-yard gain, Toronto’s Belli was hit with a unnecessary roughness call. Durant found Andy Fantuz in the right corner of the end zone and the Riders were back in the game at 10-7. The Argos picked up a field goal on their next possession, and the first quarter ended 13-7, Toronto.

The Argos started the second quarter deep in their territory, went backwards and ended up surrendering a safety when Stevie Baggs tackled Joseph in the end zone. Argos got the ball back and fumbled. On the ensuing possession, the Riders cut through Toronto’s defense (aided and abetted by another personal foul). Durant hit Hugh Charles with a shovel pass and the Riders were ahead 16-13. The Argos committed another personal foul on the extra point which put the kickoff at the 50. Argos started the drive on their 3 and Jamal Robertson fumbled, setting the Riders up at the 4. Jyles came on for Durant (in the short-yardage package), and Charles took it up the middle on the second play of the drive for his second touchdown to put the Riders ahead 23-13. Late in the quarter, Durant hit Wes Dressler with a 33-yard touchdown pass, and the Riders were up 30-13. The Riders then blocked a punt and Jerrel Freeman carried it in for the touchdown to make it 37-13 at the half.

The Argos were able to hit a field goal to open the third quarter, but on their second possession, Joseph was nailed on a safety blitz while trying to pass, the ball was tipped and intercepted by Baggs. Congi’s field goal try hit the crossbar and the Riders missed a chance to create some more breathing room. Late in the quarter, Joseph hooked up with McNeal on a 52-yard pass play, setting up first and goal at the four. Two plays later, Jamal Robertson took it in from the 1, and the Argos were back in the game, now down 37-23. As the quarter came to a close, the Riders moved the ball well into Argo territory on a catch by Fantuz and a pair of runs by Charles.

The drive fizzled and the Riders settled for a field goal by Congi to make it 40-23. After a change of possession, the Argos turned over the ball again when Joseph took off from the pocket and fumbled when he was tackled by Chick. Congi chipped in a 38-yard field goal to make it 43-23 midway through the quarter. Durant was intercepted by Will Poole late in the quarter and the Argos went into their hurry-up. Three plays later, Joseph hit Tyler Scott on a 45-yard touchdown pass to bring them within two scores. The Riders then effectively moved the ball on the ground and Congi knocked in a 35 yarder to make it 46-30. The Argos scored on the final play as Joseph hit Bradwell on a long touchdown pass but missed on a two-point conversion as time expired, 46-36 Riders win, The Riders move to the top of the heap in the West and face a stiff test when Montréal comes to Regina on Friday night.