Franklin leads Argos to close victory over Esks
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts are off to a good start without their starting QB.
James Franklin passed for one touchdown and rushed for another in his Argos starting debut as Toronto beat the Edmonton Eskimos, 20-17, in Canadian Football League action Saturday at BMO Field.
“He had great poise today,” Argos coach Marc Trestman said after the first game of a homeand-home series. “He made some key plays when we needed him to and he got the throws when we needed the throws.”
The Argos (1-2) were playing their first game this season without regular starter Ricky Ray, who was carted off with what is believed to be a season-ending neck injury in their previous contest. Franklin, playing against his former team, finished the game 16-for-22 for 217 yards.
“The thing I was most concerned about was the chemistry with the guys and how they would respond to me in the huddle,” Franklin said.
The results were promising. Franklin guided the team on a game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
A five-yard touchdown pass to Canadian fullback Declan Cross put Toronto up by one and a twopoint conversion pass to Armanti Edwards from Franklin capped the scoring with 2:57 left.
Although it is believed Ray is out for the season, there has been no official announcement from the Argos, who entered the game as the only winless team in the CFL.
“Having a win against your former team in your first start is big, it’s a confidence booster,” Toronto running back James Wilder Jr. said.
Wilder had a rushing touchdown and carried the ball
21 times for 120 yards.
The Eskimos (2-2), meanwhile, weren’t surprised by Franklin’s performance.
“What he displayed out there is what we’ve seen the past two years,” Edmonton coach Jason Maas said of Franklin. “At the end of the day, the last two drives (Franklin ran the clock out to finish it) were enough to win them the game.”
The Eskimos lost despite a productive game from quarterback Mike Reilly, who was 28-for-40 for 370 yards and one touchdown.
The Argonauts opened the scoring on the first drive of the game. Franklin called his own number for a two-yard rushing TD. Toronto kicker Ronnie Pfeffer missed the convert attempt to keep the score at 6-0.
The Eskimos turned over the ball on their opening drive as Cassius Vaughn stripped it from Edmonton running back C.J. Gable, allowing Shawn Lemon to recover.
That gave Toronto a short field, and Wilder recorded a five-yard touchdown rush. A two-point convert attempt failed and Toronto led 12-0.
NOTES: Attendance was 12,196. ... The teams will meet again Friday in Edmonton.