Chad Kelly’s 4 TD passes lead Argos past Redblacks in East semifinal

The Toronto Argonauts have their rematch with the defending Gray Cup champion Montreal Alouettes.

Quarterback Chad Kelly tossed 4 touchdowns and ran for one more to guide the Argonauts to a 58-38 CFL victory in opposition to the Ottawa Redblacks within the East Division semifinal on Saturday.

The dominant victory propelled the Argonauts to their fourth straight look within the East remaining and arrange a rematch with the Alouettes, who upset Toronto 38-17 a 12 months in the past.

“We all know we’ll get their finest shot,” Kelly mentioned. “We received to be prepared for no matter they throw at us and be able to go.”

Kelly and the Argonauts weren’t able to go in opposition to the Redblacks, falling behind 10-0 and 13-3 within the first half. However Toronto rebounded with an explosive 38-point second half.

Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown set CFL playoff information with 46 completions and 61 move makes an attempt.

He threw for 3 touchdowns, 476 yards and two interceptions that resulted in Toronto touchdowns.

The guests have been within the playoffs for the primary time since 2018, however the semifinal defeat gave them six losses of their remaining seven outings.

The 2 groups 96-points mixed output tied a playoff document, set when the Alouettes defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats within the 2011 East Division semifinal.

“Offensively, we will be explosive,” Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie mentioned. “Now now we have to do it once more subsequent week.”

Argos get a break

Kelly completed with 358 passing yards, finishing 18 of 20 earlier than 18,060 at BMO Area. He additionally rushed for 29 yards on two carries. The Argonauts acquired a break within the dying seconds of the primary half. Brown rallied the Redblacks for a late-half landing, ending with an eight-yard move to slotback Jaelon Acklin.

However then they botched the following kickoff, attempting besides a squib fast down the center of the sector. Richie Leone’s kick hit the Argonauts entrance wall. Kerfalla Exume fell on the ball with three seconds remaining.

Toronto placekicker Lirim Hajrullahu made good on his 53-yard try to carry the house facet to inside 23-20.

“We tried to execute a squib kick, put it down the center of the sector,” Ottawa head coach Bob Dyce mentioned. “We had six seconds left within the half, and my solely remorse is dangerous luck. It hit one among their gamers, and so they have been in a position to get well it and get a subject objective.”

Toronto scored two touchdowns earlier than the midpoint of the third quarter to grab a 34-23 lead.

Kelly hit Davaris Daniels for his second landing, this time with a nine-yard strike. The drive was arrange by a 15-yard rush down the center from Kelly. The Argonauts quarterback was drilled by Redblacks linebacker Frankie Griffin, leading to a 15-yard pointless roughness penalty.

Kelly confirmed his displeasure however was compelled to depart the sport due to concussion protocol.

He returned three performs later for his third landing move.

On the Argonauts’ subsequent drive, Kelly discovered Makai Polk for a 57-yard bomb. Three performs later, Kelly scampered in for a 15-yard rating. Kelly’s fourth landing toss, a 13-yard completion to Jake Herslow, arrived 2:56 into the fourth quarter.

Ottawa’s Lewis Ward hit his fourth subject objective of the afternoon, this time from 42 yards, because the third quarter concluded with Toronto in entrance 34-26.

The Redblacks had the ball for twenty-four:11 of the primary half however departed for the locker room main 23-20, settling for 3 objectives.

Brown went a formidable 26 for 31 for 256 yards and two touchdowns within the first half.

“Proper now, it is powerful,” Brown mentioned. “Since you do not come again to work till the next 12 months.”

Two quick-strike second-quarter touchdowns spearheaded the Argonauts to a 17-16 benefit. Kelly hit Polk for a 70-yard catch-and-run and Daniels from 41 yards. Polk completed with 158 yards on 4 receptions.