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Game Recaps June 22, 2024

GAME RECAP | Argos 39, Elks 36

@arcurimike

TORONTO – It was one of those games where the Elks offence just ran out of time.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson passed for 342 yards and a career-high tying four touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Toronto Argonauts, who pulled out the 39-36 victory on Saturday night.

Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu hit the walk-off field goal to give the Double Blue their second win of the season and hand the Elks the heartbreaking defeat. Edmonton now drops to 0-3 on the year, with their opponents a perfect 7-0 this season and a combined margin of defeat of only 14 points.

The Elks will head to Vancouver on Thursday, June 27 to take on the B.C. Lions, before entering their first bye week of the season.

GAMEDAY ESSENTIALS

COME OUT SLINGING

If you are a fan of offence, then the Saturday’s clash was right up your alley.

The Elks and McLeod Bethel-Thompson put on an aerial show in the first quarter. The former Argo was accurate and decisive, completing 10 of 12 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the opening 15 minutes. It was Dillon Mitchell who was Bethel-Thompsons favourite target early, connecting on a 30-yard slant-and-go in the corner of the endzone for the game’s opening score.

The Elks QB found Mitchell again to set up their second touchdown, launching a 39-yard pass down the heart of the Argonauts defence. Bethel-Thompson followed it up with a deftly floated pass that eluded Argonaut defensive back Benjie Franklin and landed in the waiting arms of Eugene Lewis for his first score of the game.

The Elks passing game was nearly unstoppable on the night, with Bethel-Thompson connecting on 28 of 38 passes and 342 yards — making it a third consecutive game that the 36-year-old has eclipsed the 300-yard plateau to start the season.

UPS AND DOWNS ON DEFENCE

It was a case of hot and cold when it came to the Elks defence on Saturday.

The Chris Jones and Jason Shivers led unit started the game on fire, holding the Argos to zero yards on their first two drives. The defensive line was able to get to Argos quarterback Cameron Dukes twice, with Elliott Brown and Noah Curtis both recording their second sack of the season.

However, the Argonauts were able to solve the unit on the next three drives courtesy of the run game. While former Calgary Stampeders running back Kadeem Carey fought for the hard yards, it was Deonta McMahon who provided the lightning. The speedy 24-year-old got the home side on the board courtesy of a 44-yard scamper with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter.

The Argonauts were able to churn up 186 yards on the ground on the night, with Dukes, McMahon, and Carey all recording a rushing score.

TRICKS ARE A TREAT

With the Argonauts in the lead 21-15, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie reached into his bag of tricks but did not like what he saw.

Deep in their own end, Dukes pitched the ball to McMahon who looked to make a pass deep down the field. Veteran safety Lucheiz Purifoy was not fooled on the play, jumping in front of the pass for his first interception of the season. The long return gave Bethel-Thompson and the Elks offence the ball on the Argos 23-yard line, and a 1:37 later the ball was in their endzone.

Hergy Mayala was the recipient of his third receiving touchdown of the season when Bethel-Thompson floated a pass through the uprights and on a platter for the Montreal product to take a 22-21 lead in the third quarter.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • Six different Elks players recorded at least three receptions on the night with Kurleigh Gittens Jr. leading the way with six.
  • Dillion Mitchell was explosive for the Elks offence, averaging 24 yards-per reception on his 120 yard performance.
  • Linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. was a excellent in kick coverage, recording three special-teams tackles.
  • Linebacker Nick Anderson had the most productive game of his short career, recording nine tackles.