Ouellette scores three touchdowns as the Argonauts pummel the Elks - News Block

EDMONTON — There are still no signs of a Gray Cup hangover for the Toronto Argonauts.

AJ Ouellette scored three touchdowns and the defending champion Argonauts remained unbeaten on the season with a 43-31 win over the Edmonton Elks on Sunday.

“He does everything right, he does all his assignments and he’s in the weight room every day,” Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie of Ouellette said. “He is a great soccer player and I am lucky to train him.

“It’s hard to get him and Andrew (Harris) to get the touches they deserve. But I know that if we give Andrew enough touches, he’ll have those performances every week.”

Ouellette had just two touchdowns in 13 games for the Argos last season.

“I felt really good,” he said of the three TD performance. “They made it easy for me. It seemed like all the touchdowns were pretty much intact, which is a credit to the offensive line.”

Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 13 of 23 passes for 264 yards in his second game as Toronto’s designated starter.

“I feel good, but I have to be a lot better,” Kelly said. “I have to be more closed mentally. Today I felt that it was intermittent. I have to be more consistent throughout the game.

“We are constantly improving. We should have hung a few more points on the board and shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. It’s still early in the season. We got the win. We just have to keep learning and improving on every play.”

The Argos improved to 2-0, while the Elks got off to a rocky start at 0-3.

“I would have lost my house betting our record wouldn’t be where it is right now, but it is what it is,” Elks head coach Chris Jones said.

The home hexagon continues for the Elks, who have lost a CFL-record 19 straight home games, a series of futility dating back to Oct. 12, 2019.

Edmonton started the scoring on their second possession midway through the first quarter, a relief after being shut out for the first time in 47 years last week when they fell 22-0 to the BC Lions. A 42-yard punt return from CJ Sims launched a drive that would be completed when Kevin Brown wobbled on a Taylor Cornelius pass and dove into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

The Argonauts responded with a major of their own on the ensuing Kelly-engineered drive, earning a three-yard rushing major from Ouellette.

The Elks retook the lead early in the second frame when Loucheiz Purifoy stepped in front of a pass from Kelly and ran it 27 yards for the pick-six touchdown.

Toronto rallied with Boris Bede’s 42-yard field goal and added a punt single to close out the score 14–11.

The Argos took the lead with just over a minute left in the first half when Kelly shrugged off a sure sack and then found David Ungerer wide open for a 44-yard touchdown toss.

Edmonton’s Dean Faithfull kicked an 18-yard field goal to close out the second quarter with Toronto up 18-17.

The Argonauts were able to extend their lead on a long drive to open the second half, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Ouellette.

Ungerer also excelled on special teams with a blocked punt, which eventually led to a four-yard touchdown run by Ouellette.

The Elks attempted a quarterback trade, but on the first play Kai Locksley fumbled at his own 24, with Argo Robertson Daniel recovering. Bede made a 16-yard field goal to extend Toronto’s lead to 36-17.

Edmonton’s bad luck continued as Eugene Lewis was stripped a step from the end zone and the Argos’ Daniel once again got the credit for the turnover.

Toronto’s defense continued to shine, as Royce Metchie intercepted third-team Elks quarterback Jarret Doege and returned it 15 yards to the end zone.

The Elks finally got back on the board with less than three minutes left in the fourth when a 72-yard return from Sims led to Doege’s two-yard pass to Vincent Forbes-Mombleau and a two-point conversion from Doege.

Edmonton was able to add another highlight reel game to the proceedings with six seconds remaining when Doege escaped the pressure and via a hopeful upfield pass that bounced off a defender’s hands to Forbes-Mombleau for an 84-yard touchdown play.

“They called my number and I tried to make the most of my opportunity,” Doege said. “I went in there and just dropped everything trying to do what I could to help the team try to build momentum.”

GRADES

Out on injuries for Edmonton were cornerback Ed Gaines, receiver Manny Arceneaux, offensive lineman Cole Nelson and quarterback Tre Ford. … Among those missing from Toronto’s lineup were defensive lineman Shawn Oakman, linebacker Henoc Muamba, wide receiver Markeith Ambles, receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek and offensive lineman Shane Richards.

SALUTING BETTER TIMES

The Elks recognized the 30th anniversary of their 1993 Gray Cup-winning team with several players from that team in attendance, including Damon Allen, Willie Pless, and Henry (Gizmo) Williams.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Edmonton will play the Redblacks (0-2) in Ottawa on Friday in a winless team battle, while the Argonauts will host the BC Lions (3-0) next Monday in an unbeaten team matchup.