Argonauts too strong for Lions
VANCOUVER — Ricky Ray tossed three touchdown passes and James Wilder ran for 136 yards and a TD as the Toronto Argonauts clinched first place in the CFL’s East Division with a 40-13 victory over the B.C. Lions on Saturday night.
Ray completed 26-of-34 passes for 341 yards as the Argos finished the regular season with a 9-9 record, earning a first-round bye in the East Division playoffs. Toronto will host the Eastern Final against the winner of a semifinal between Ottawa and Saskatchewan, the West Division crossover club.
Lirim Harjullahu kicked four field goals for the Argos.
Toronto won its first East Division crown since 2013. The Lions wound up 7-11 and finished last in the West for the first time in 42 years. Before Saturday, B.C. had not placed fifth since 1975.
However, the Lions did little to suggest that they were capable of better things at the end of what might have been the final season for Wally Buono, the CFL’s alltime winningest coach.
Buono’s contract with the Lions is due to expire and he has admitted that his future with the club is uncertain.
The Argos sealed top spot in the East by scoring on three of their first four offensive series, while the Lions came up empty on their first four possessions — mainly due to poor throws by quarterback Jonathon Jennings.
S.J. Green, DeVier Posey and Declan Cross caught touchdown passes for the Argos while Wilder ran the ball in for another major. Meanwhile, defensive back Cassius Vaughn recorded two interceptions as the Argos posted four picks altogether.
Hajrullahu supplied Toronto’s other points on converts.
Jennings completed 19-of-31 passes for a meager 145 yards, while also throwing three interceptions.