Lemon's 4th-quarter TD pass beats Riders

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Cleo Lemon may still be learning the intricacies of a CFL offence, but he has the one quality that will accelerate his education — the will to win.

After throwing an early-fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jeremaine Copeland, Lemon fearlessly ran through the middle of Saskatchewan's defence to gain a critical first down with less than two minutes to play Saturday. The Argos then ran out the clock to secure an important 24-19 away win over the Roughriders.

After missing last week because of a concussion, Lemon managed Saturday's game well and was unfazed by the Roughriders' fierce pass rush, even though he took some strong hits.

The Argos pivot finished the game with 150 yards passing, one touchdown and one interception. Lemon's opposite number, Rider quarterback Darian Durant, threw for 210 yards and a touchdown, but two costly interceptions will increase the pressure on him.

Turnovers erase fast Argo start

Lemon started the game with quick throws and running back Cory Boyd drove hard at Saskatchewan's defence. Boyd had 131 yards this week to go with the 145 yards he chewed up against the Riders last week in a 27-16 loss.

Yet, although the Argos offence was efficient early, it couldn't punch into the end zone. The defence, however, was able to score six after linebacker Jeremy Unertl nabbed Durant's errant pass for receiver Andy Fantuz and ran back 69 yards for the touchdown.

Toronto looked confident up 11-0 going into the second quarter, but then two quick turnovers erased the advantage.

First, Saskatchewan defensive back Tad Kornegay intercepted Lemon, and four plays later Wes Kates walked into the end zone for his league-leading 15th touchdown of the season.

Then, defensive back Daniel Francis ripped the ball from the arm of Toronto return man Chad Owen, and Durant threw a touchdown pass to fullback Neil Hughes.

Within five minutes in the second quarter the Riders were suddenly up 15-11. Argos place kicker Justin Medlock drove his second of three field goals to bring Toronto within one, but for the next quarter and a half the game become one of inches.

Trick plays give Argos advantage

After Medlock's third field goal gave the Argos a two-point lead going into the fourth period, Toronto's special teams employed a few trick plays to inspire the offence.

Kicker Jamie Boreham and cornerback Byron Parker faked a safety in the end zone to give the Argos better field position, and one offensive series later Bryan Crawford took a direct snap on a punt and gained a first down.  

"We're not just hoping they work," Crawford said of Toronto's trick plays. "We're running them against looks that we're practising against, that we're waiting to see. And when we see them we have to trust in the guys on the field that we're going to execute them properly."

After Crawford's clever move, throws from Lemon and runs by Boyd took the Argos 82 yards on six plays to score the game's winning touchdown.

The loss ended the Roughriders' unbeaten streak at home this season and kept them from securing a home playoff game. Toronto is now level with Hamilton for second in the CFL East.

Both teams are in crucial divisional battles next week with Saskatchewan facing Calgary and Toronto facing Hamilton.