Argonauts upset Roughriders with 40-34 statement

Argonauts upset – Toronto scored 17 straight points to stun Saskatchewan 40-34 on Friday, with first-year head coach Mike Miller betting big in the final seconds of the first half. Chad Kelly’s connection with Damonte Coxie and rookie Tyler Kahmann powered the win, while Saskat

For 24 seconds, the Toronto Argonauts looked like they might just survive the clock.

Then Mike Miller leaned into the moment—right there on their own 46-yard line with 17-13 on the scoreboard and just 24 seconds remaining in the first half. The gamble flipped the game.

Chad Kelly found Damonte Coxie open down the middle of the field behind the linebackers and in front of the secondary for a 37-yard gain down to the Saskatchewan 27-yard line. With only six seconds left. Kelly was flushed out of the pocket. but he still spotted Tyler Kahmann at the 10-yard line. Kahmann—making plays as a rookie—took the ball into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

From that point, Toronto scored 17 consecutive points, taking control 30-17 and then sealing a 40-34 win over the reigning Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.

Miller framed it as execution under pressure. “It was huge. That was an outstanding catch by Coxie. And then a run after the catch, great ball by Chad, good vision,” he said. “And then on the second play. we got a little tight there with the clock. but that was really on me. I could have got to that play a little quicker, and I need to do that better next time. But Chad, as you ask your quarterback to do, bailed me out, and guys made plays. And hats off to Tyler too, made a great catch and found the end zone when we needed it.”.

The play calling after Coxie’s catch was the core risk: with six seconds left. it was score or go away empty handed. Kelly was blunt about what it meant when they finally got the ball back. “It definitely was huge making a play because the time really ran out, right?. So, it was either all or nothing, and you know, we made a play. That’s what we do. We make plays,” Kelly said.

Saskatchewan’s fight didn’t fade after the halftime swing. Tommy Stevens and Daniel Wiebe struck in the fourth quarter—sandwiched around Lirim Hajrullahu’s field goal—to cut the Argos lead to 33-31 five minutes into the final period. Wiebe’s touchdown was his first CFL score and came during his CFL debut.

But Toronto answered with the last word when it mattered most. Kelly hit Kahmann on a 21-yard touchdown strike with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter, the touchdown coming three plays after Saskatchewan receiver Jaylen Johnson fumbled at the Riders’ 32-yard line and the Argos recovered.

Saskatchewan did create another dramatic moment at 2:42 remaining when Argos tailback Sam Hicks fumbled after taking a swing pass. The turnover didn’t hold up, though—Saskatchewan’s Antoine Brooks Jr. was hit with a face-masking penalty, erasing the stop.

Kelly finished 23 of 30 passing for 321 yards, adding two touchdown passes and running five yards for another major. Kahmann caught five passes for 89 yards, while Coxie had four receptions for 70 yards.

Trevor Harris carried Saskatchewan’s load through the air, completing 34 of 43 passes for 409 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Even with the loss, Harris said the Roughriders would treat the setback as fuel. “This is a team loss and that’s kind of how we look at this no matter what. No matter what the score is. if it’s a 10-7 game or a game like tonight or anywhere in-between or a super-high scoring game it’s really we lost and we’re going to take a look at how we can get better. ” he said. “Complimentary football is the name of the game. and pro football is if we can stay on the field and keep our defence off the field. that’s going to help them more. If the defence can generate two and outs and the special teams can flip the field for us. then obviously we’re going to be in a better position. We’re all going to take a look and be better.”.

The opening set the tone for a high-intensity contest. Toronto started with a bang as Sam Hicks darted 61 yards on the first offensive play. After forcing a punt on Saskatchewan’s first possession, Janarion Grant returned Oscar Chapman’s punt 68 yards for a touchdown, giving Toronto a 7-0 lead.

Turnovers punctured the rest of the first half. Kelly was intercepted at the Saskatchewan goal line by Josh Woods on Toronto’s opening possession. Harris was intercepted in the end zone by Tarvarus McFadden late in the second quarter.

Saskatchewan also suffered a setback early in the story. Receiver Samuel Emilus left the second quarter with an apparent leg injury while returning a punt. Emilus had been replacing James Letcher, the regular kick returner, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury.

Toronto and Saskatchewan both moved to 2-1 records following Friday’s “home” game for the Argos at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium. The first of three Toronto home games was moved to alternate venues due to conflicts with the 2026 World Cup schedule, and announced attendance for the game was 25,035.

Up next, the Argonauts visit the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday. The Roughriders visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday, July 3.

CFL Toronto Argonauts Saskatchewan Roughriders Mike Miller Chad Kelly Tyler Kahmann Damonte Coxie Daniel Wiebe Tommy Stevens Lirim Hajrullahu Trevor Harris Sam Hicks