If Wally Buono wants to become the all-time winningest coach in CFL history on Saturday, his B.C Lions will have to beat a Toronto Argonauts team about to welcome back one of its most dynamic players.
Dominique Dorsey, the league’s special teams player of the year last season, will make his return to the Argonauts (3-7) at BC Place as Buono attempts to garner win No. 232.
The 19-year coach is currently tied with Don Matthews.
Dorsey rejoined Toronto Tuesday after spending the summer with the National Football League’s Washington Redskins. The kickoff/punt returner was released by the NFL club on Sept. 5.
“It’s definitely a great feeling,” Dorsey told reporters on Tuesday. “Guys have welcomed me back with open arms and I’m happy right now.”
The return of Dorsey should provide a boost to the Boatmen’s special teams, especially the punt return unit that sits second last in yards.
Last season, Dorsey set a club record with a 225-yard single game kickoff return performance in a Sept 7 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. His season total of 1,257 kickoff yards overall are also a team best.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” Argonauts coach Bart Andrus said of Dorsey’s return on Tuesday. “We’re very excited.”
While the Argonauts are reveling in the California native’s return, the Lions (4-6) will be without quarterback Jarious Jackson, as the five-year pivot will miss the next three to five weeks with rotator cuff damage.
Buck Pierce, just back from a concussion, will get the start for the Lions, who have not lost Toronto at BC Place since July 9, 2002.
The two teams last met on Aug. 14 at the Rogers Centre, where the Argonauts came into the fourth quarter of the game leading 25-14, before Jackson threw two touchdowns in a 36-28 comeback win for the Lions.
The last regular season victory for the Argonauts against the Lions was on Oct. 11 2004, a 22-16 win. The two teams would later meet on Nov. 21 at Frank Clair Stadium, where the Boatmen defeated the Lions 27-19 in the 92nd Grey Cup.