UFC president Dana White witnessed a football-style knockout inside the white lines.
White performed the coin toss. It wasn’t a ring but the fight would have been stopped if the Eskimos laid that kind of a beat down on the Argos during a UFC fight. Edmonton was the heavy favourite and delivered body blows while earning a decisive 26-0 victory.
The Eskimos defence was stout and kept Toronto’s quarterbacks uncomfortable for the entire 60 minutes. Ratio-breaking Canadian Kwaku Boateng notched two sacks while Nick Usher and Kendal Vickers recorded one QB takedown each. Almondo Sewell continued to be a disruptive force, the veteran is the leader by example on the Esks defensive front.
Argos starting quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson was pulled from the game at halftime after completing just 5-of-13 passes for 83 yards and one interception while fumbling once during the opening 30 minutes. The Argos were shutout on the scoreboard and managed just 119 total yards on offence in the first two quarters. Since taking over for an injured James Franklin as the starter, the boatmen have gone 0-4 part of a 10-game personal losing streak for Bethel-Thompson.
Dakota Prukop was inserted in the third quarter, but the switch didn’t make a difference for Toronto. He was picked off twice as the Argos went back and forth between Prukop and Bethel-Thompson in the final frame. At least each quarterback was targeting No. 1 receiver Derel Walker, 11 passes went his way and Walker turned them into five catches for 85 yards.
The latest best microcosm for the Argos season came early in the fourth quarter when the double blue elected to go for it on third and three. Bethel-Thompson had Jimmy Ralph streaking wide open for a would-be touchdown, but threw on the wrong side of the receiver. Ralph made the adjustment on the fly, but he couldn’t haul the pass in. Both players were visibly frustrated after the ball hit the turf.
There was mostly elation from the Eskimos offence. That Edmonton unit put in a workmanlike effort and held the ball for more than 38 minutes. Trevor Harris completed 27-of-39 passes for 298 yards. Ricky Collins was his favourite receiver grabbing six balls for 82 yards on eight targets.
With C.J. Gable sitting out, the Eskimos resting their lead back, Shaquille Cooper performed in the spotlight. Cooper had 22 carries for 128 yards with one touchdown and five receptions for 48 yards. The 26-year-old from Fort Hays State University displayed his vision, burst and speed yet again as Cooper appears to be a young rising player with intriguing potential.
Eskimos head coach Jason Maas had his group focused following a loss in Montreal and a short week to prepare for the Argos. Edmonton improves to 4-2 keeping pace with their Alberta rivals for second place in the West Division – Calgary hosts the Eskimos in Week 8.
Toronto sinks to 0-6 and return home from a 15-day, three-game Western road trip to play Winnipeg on Thursday, August 1 at BMO Field. It’s the worst start to a season for the Argos since dropping their first 11 games in 1981. Chamblin has lost 15 straight games as a head coach, two away from the all-time CFL record.
White won’t be scheduling Toronto for a title fight, but Edmonton has shown potential and could earn a shot at the belt with more complete efforts.
