Redblacks kick their way past Argos, into top spot in East

The Ottawa Redblacks needed a big game at home. They got it.

Chris Milo kicked five field goals and the Redblacks took over first place in the East Division on Friday with a 29-12 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts.

Ottawa (6-5-1) won at home for just the second time in six attempts to move one point up on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who play in Saskatchewan Saturday. The Redblacks also have a game in hand.

"It's a great win. We've been dying to get one at home here and all three phases of the game did everything tonight. The offence moved the ball and we weren't able to get touchdowns, but points are points and a win is a win," Milo said.

"I thought the defence played extraordinary today pitching a shut out for most of the first half and that was pretty good against a team that had been scoring touchdowns left and right."

The Argonauts (5-8-0) have lost two straight and sit third in the division.

Willy's 1st snaps as an Argo

Toronto scored the first offensive touchdown of the game when Drew Willy threw an 11-yard pass to Kevin Elliott at 7:08 of the fourth quarter, but that only cut the Redblacks lead to 22-12 following a failed two-point conversion attempt.

Willy completed 16-of-24 passes for 153 yards after starting the second half in place of Dan LeFevour, who was 13 for 19 and 72 yards in the first half with one interception.

It was the first game action for Willy since being traded from Winnipeg 10 days ago.

"Any time you get to play it's fun to be out there. Obviously I've only known these guys for 10 days, but it was fun to be out there. Wish we could have got the win obviously," Willy said.

"I thought we did some good things in the second half but it wasn't enough and I know some of my reads will have to get better. I've been studying every night since I've been here and just trying to keep getting better."

A one-yard touchdown run from Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris with two minutes to play gave the Redblacks a 29-12 lead following the conversion.

Harris completed 25 of his 35 pass attempts for 274 yards.

"We were waiting for our chance and we talked about that being a 10-point play because it's three points on the missed field goal for them and then seven going back the other way, so that's a huge momentum swing," Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said.

"They played with a lot of passion and it's nice to play a nice hard fought game like that and win. It's good for our confidence," said Campbell.

Both teams play on the road next week as the Redblacks head west to face the B.C. Lions on Saturday while the Argos go further East for a showdown with the Montreal Alouettes Sunday.