Cameron Dukes’ dual-threat ability was on full display Saturday night, leading the Toronto Argonauts past the Edmonton Elks in a 39-36 thriller in Canadian Football League action at BMO Field.
The former Lindsey Wilson Blue Raider (NAIA) completed 18 passes on 21 attempts, still without an interception on the season, while rushing for 17 yards on four carries and finding the end zone.
Dukes showed off his arm and running ability all game long, but especially in the second quarter as he tossed a 21-yard dime to receiver Rasheed Bailey followed by a seven-yard run for his second rushing touchdown in as many games.
His confidence continues to grow every week but credits a lot of his success so far this season towards the run game and the offensive line.
“We got a run game that’s killing it. We got an offensive line that just dominates up front,” said Dukes, in the Argonauts locker room during his post-game media availably. “It gives me time to be able to scan the field and find the guy that’s open.”
Ka’Deem Carey established the run game for Toronto (2-0) rushing for 104 yards on 19 attempts and finding the endzone for his 20th rushing touchdown of his CFL career. He also needed 65 yards to reach 3,000 career yards which he surpassed early in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is pleased but not the least bit surprised about how his number one running back has played so far this season.
“He’s living up to what I expected, he’s in a great room, great environment, where now he’s taking on a leadership role,” said Dinwiddie, during his postgame press conference. “He’s doing everything it takes. He wants to win. Great addition to our locker room, but you see it.
“He’s downhill. He can catch the ball in the backfield. He’s a great player.”
Toronto was thrilled to welcome receiver Damonte Coxie back from injury after missing Week 1’s tilt against the B.C. Lions. Last years East Division all-star wasted no time getting back into the swing of things as he led the Argos in receiving yards along with a touchdown.
Argos quarterback Dukes was happy to see a familiar face back in the lineup.
“Damonte is unbelievable. He’s just a guy that when he’s down there somewhere,” said the pivot. “You can honestly just throw it up to him and you can trust that he’s going to come down with it.”
Elks (0-3) quarterback McLeod Bethal-Thompson finished the game with 342 passing yards at a 74 per cent completion rate while throwing four touchdowns for Edmonton.
This was Bethal-Thompson’s first game going up against his old team and he certainly did not disappoint.
Elks wide receiver Dillon Mitchell opened the games scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch. He would end up with 120 yards on the night, leading the way for the Elks receiving core.
Receivers Hergy Mayala, Eugene Lewis, and former Argo Kurleigh Gittens Jr. also found the end zone for Edmonton, while backup quarterback Dakota Prukop ran in a two-yard score.
The Elks go on to face the Lions in B.C next Thursday while the Argos host the defending Grey Cup champion Alouettes on Friday.
NOTES: McLeod Bethal-Thompson threw for 186 yards in the first half including two touchdown passes … Argos offensive scheme was balanced — through three quarters it produced 304 yards of total offence, 152 in the air and 152 on the ground … Elks made a costly error late in the fourth quarter with a roughing the punter penalty, the third game in a row an error has hurt their chances.