Toronto Argonauts rain out the Tiger-Cats (& seven other thoughts)

Photo: Guang Quan/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

After Mother Nature wreaked havoc at BMO Field with a one-hour lightning delay, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 39-20 in the annual CNE Game in front of 18,842 fans.

Here are my thoughts.

Kelly hits 10k 

It’s been a roller-coaster year for Chad Kelly. He’s had two separate four-interception games and has thrown a pick-six in each of his past two outings.

Tonight, beyond reaching the 10,000-yard passing mark for his CFL career, Kelly fared well despite the elements. He completed 26-of-34 passes for 289 yards, three touchdowns, added a rushing touchdown, and threw one interception.

Yes, he threw another pick, but this was one of Kelly’s better games in quite some time. He looked composed in the pocket, received help from his receivers, benefited from a solid running game, and most importantly, did not appear to scramble or panic under pressure. That composure has been missing at times in 2026, and it has contributed to some of his less-than-ideal decisions.

If this is the level of QB1 play the Argonauts can expect from Kelly over the back half of the CFL season, Toronto could become a legitimate threat to the Montreal Alouettes should the two meet in the East Final in early November.

When life gives you Shawn Lemon

When Shawn Lemon arrived in Toronto a month ago, people wondered how much gas was left in the veteran edge rusher’s tank. Four games later, he hasn’t just answered those doubts; he’s completely blown them away.

Lemon has been an absolute terror on the defensive line, piling up an astonishing six sacks over his first four appearances in Double Blue. While few predicted this level of immediate, game-breaking dominance, his impact reached a fever pitch on Saturday. Lemon terrorized the backfield once again, collecting two crucial sacks, including a soul-crushing strip that completely flipped the game’s momentum in the second half.

His relentless engine and clutch playmaking have earned high praise from the coaching staff, cementing him as the heart of Toronto’s pass rush and proving that the veteran still has plenty of elite football left in him.

“Just amazing. You see the play on the field, but it goes way beyond,” head coach Mike Miller told me post-game.

 “He’s an outstanding human being, a great leader with his experience. He’s vocal. He reminds the guys where we are and what’s taking place, and he keeps a handle on the focus, too, from a player’s standpoint. We are just so thrilled to have him. “

When asked about his sack success, Lemon kept it simple.

“I’m just thankful for this opportunity here to be able to lead by example and showcase things that I can do.”

Smith was the right call

When it was announced that Sam Hicks would be moved off the depth chart in favour of Isaiah Smith and Qualan Jones, it was understandably a head-scratching decision. Hicks has been a dependable option in the running game whenever his number has been called, consistently providing the Argonauts with tough, productive carries.

However, Smith quickly showed why the coaching staff was willing to give him a larger opportunity. The 2026 second-round pick answered the call with authority, recording 15 rushing attempts for 99 yards, including an explosive 29-yard run. His performance added a different dimension to Toronto’s ground attack: speed, burst, and the ability to create a big play when a crease opens.

Rather than viewing the move as a reflection of Hicks’ value, it could ultimately give the Argonauts a more balanced and dangerous backfield. Hicks remains a reliable, physical runner capable of handling meaningful touches, while Smith has demonstrated the big-play potential.

It’s raining field goals

Last week in Edmonton, Brady Lidster endured a game to forget, missing two makeable field goals, including a shanked attempt from 35 yards. The Argonauts’ special teams struggles mirrored a difficult night for the club as a whole.

But in far less-than-ideal conditions on Saturday night, Lidster responded exactly the way that the Argonauts needed. Kicking through pouring rain, he drilled field goals from 49 and 47 yards and finished 4-for-5 overall. His only miss came from 32 yards, but it did little to overshadow a composed, confidence-building performance that played a key role in the Toronto victory.

Rather than allowing last week’s misses to linger, Lidster showed the ability to reset and deliver under pressure, including on two long attempts that are rarely routine in dry weather, let alone in a downpour. It is fair to wonder whether Edmonton was simply a case of the yips affecting not only Lidster, but a Toronto team that struggled to find consistency across multiple phases.

The big boys protected

A major reason Kelly and the rest of the offence played so well was the work of the big boys up front. The Argonauts’ offensive line deserves its flowers after allowing zero sacks and consistently giving the offence the time and space it needed to operate effectively. Their pass protection kept Kelly clean in the pocket, allowing him to progress through his reads and make confident throws, while their work in the run game helped create the balance Toronto needed to keep the defence honest.

If the offensive line can build on this effort over the next few weeks, it could be a major factor as the Argonauts look to lock down second place in the East Division. Consistency up front would not only help the offence sustain drives and finish more possessions with points, but it would also reduce the pressure on Kelly to make plays under duress.

Oh, there’s Damonte!

If last week’s performance was a burn-the-film nightmare that Damonte Coxie would rather forget, Saturday was the ultimate statement response. Great receivers don’t dwell on a rough outing; they make adjustments, put their heads down, and bounce back. That is precisely what Coxie did, delivering a clutch, game-changing performance when his number was called.

Coxie hauled in four receptions for 75 yards, but the stat line tells only half the story. He was a menace in plus territory, finding the end zone twice and giving the Argonauts’ aerial attack the high-flying threat it lacked last week. His route-running was crisp, his hands were reliable, and every time the team needed a big downfield play to keep a drive alive, Coxie delivered.

Back to Regina

The Argonauts will travel back to Regina next Saturday night for a 7:00 p.m. EDT matchup with the Roughriders. The last time Toronto “visited” the defending Grey Cup champions, the Argonauts came away with a thrilling 40–34 victory.

This time, however, Saskatchewan will have the advantage of playing an official home game, and revenge will undoubtedly be on their minds. After what is expected to be a hard-fought battle against a reinvigorated B.C. Lions squad, the Argonauts will be eager to leave Regina with another win.

A season sweep of the defending champions would provide Toronto with a major confidence boost heading into the all-important Labour Day Classic.

Griff can’t get enough of football. He’s the man that keeps fans up to date on everything Toronto Argonauts.