Argonauts in learning mode against rival Tiger-Cats

Nov 9, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly (12) passes the ball against the Montreal Alouettes during the first quarter at Percival-Molson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Ontario rivals meet in a Labour Day Classic rubber match on Monday afternoon when the Toronto Argonauts visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Argonauts rolled to a 39-20 win against the visiting Tiger-Cats on Aug. 22 after Hamilton escaped with a 24-23 win in the first meeting at home on July 18, when Toronto missed a game-ending 31-yard field goal. Beyond bragging rights, Toronto (5-6) and Hamilton (4-8) are also battling for second place in the CFL East behind division-leading Montreal. When they met last month, Argos quarterback Chad Kelly broke open a close game with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Damonte Coxie and a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Kelly finished 26-of-34 passing for 289 yards, three TDs and one interception. Kelly has thrown three or more TD passes in a game five times this season but the two-time Grey Cup champion and former CFL Most Outstanding Player also leads the league with a career-high 17 interceptions. Kelly threw for 416 yards with three touchdowns and two picks in last weekend's 28-24 setback at Saskatchewan. He sustained a broken toe in the third quarter but is expected to play on Monday. "It's a real defeat if we don't learn from it," Toronto coach Mike Miller said after the loss to the Roughriders. "And I'm confident with our veteran leadership and our coaching staff that we will be able to do that." Hamilton has lost two in a row and five of six following last weekend's 28-23 defeat at Calgary. The Tiger-Cats failed to hold a 23-19 lead late in the fourth quarter. Stampeders star Dedrick Mills broke off a 49-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds remaining. Tre Ford passed for 212 yards and two scores and rushed for a team-high 80 yards to lead the Ticats, who have four losses by five or fewer points this season. "Obviously after a loss you're flustered, right," Ford said. "There's a lot of emotion going on in the locker room, but we've got a good group of guys. We're going to bounce back." --Field Level Media