Strong defence and an attack that came alive in the final quarter led the Calgary Stampeders to a 29-19 victory over the host Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon.

It was the first CFL home opening loss for the Double Blue in five seasons, and it sent a strong crowd of 17,902 away disappointed, replica 2024 Grey Cup victory rings in hand.

Toronto (0-2) quarterback Nick Arbuckle struggled early, finishing with 31-of-42 completed passes for 309 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, as he started in place of Chad Kelly, who is still recovering from a fractured leg suffered in last season’s Eastern final. 

Stampeders (2-0) quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 17-of-25 passes for 301 yards, while the nine-year veteran also added 54 yards on the ground and a rushing score. 

Even with the loss, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie liked what he saw overall from his defence, but took the blame for the offensive struggles.

“I thought the first half defence was outstanding. I think they got a little bit tired at the end,” Dinwiddie said during his post-game presser.

“Offensively, I took the blame for that. Jack of all trades, master of none, we’re throwing too much at them, they can handle it, but we have too much volume and I’ve got to simplify some things and make sure that we execute.”

After Argos running back Deonta McMahon suffered an ankle injury early, they turned to backup and former Ohio State Buckeye Miyan ‘Chop’ Williams, who led the team with 62 yards on nine carries and 65 yards on nine catches. 

“It was an experience, a moment for me to step up, which I felt like I did,” said Williams about getting an increased workload. “Then just doing what I can to help the team any way I can.”

With the Argos deciding to let veteran running back Ka’Deem Carey go just before the season started, and the injury to McMahon, Dinwiddie is expecting Williams to take the reins. 

“I think he’s going to be a great player, he’s physical, runs through tackles, but you see that he can also catch out of the backfield,” said the coach. “We feel like he’s a special player.” 

Midway through the second quarter, Arbuckle’s throw to the left sideline was intercepted and returned 40 yards for a touchdown (1) by cornerback Adrian Greene, which was his first of two in the game.

“It was a great job by Moncrief; he was doing a great job getting much wider in his curl zones than he was in week one,” said Arbuckle. “My focus was getting the ball over him to get it to Dave (Ungerer III).

“I elevated it over Moncrief but left it inside, so the field corner (Greene) did a good job of being able to come back and jump in front of Dave.” 

After a low-scoring first three quarters of the game, the Stampeders exploded with back-to-back touchdown drives to take a stranglehold. 

A 37-yard flea-flicker play to slotback Dominique Rhymes set up running back Dedrick Mills to punch in the one-yard touchdown.

After an Argos field goal, Adams Jr. capped off the drive scampering up the middle for an eight-yard score and his first touchdown with the Stampeders.

The Argos eventually got their offence going, Arbuckle hit a strike over the middle to Coxie, who bounced off defenders on his way to the endzone for the 46-yard touchdown. 

Coxie had six catches for 98 yards, along with his touchdown, as he eclipsed the 2,000-yard career mark. Arbuckle would also run in the two-point conversion to cut the lead to seven with just under five minutes left in the game.

The dagger came on the Stampeders’ ensuing drive, a 33-yard-deep ball completed to slotback Jalen Philpot, who led the Stampeders with 6 catches for 117 yards, set up a 22-yard field goal that kicker Rene Paredes converted to ice the game. 

Argos held their Grey Cup unveiling ceremony before the game, presenting their 2024 Champions banner. Players, coaches, football operations, and other members of the MLSE staff received their rings this past week. 

The Argos suffered some injuries. To go along with McMahon, star linebacker Wynton McManis and defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas went down. 

“I don’t know the extent of it, I’ve got to sit down with the doctors,” said Dinwiddie, of McManis. “He had the MCL in camp, and it’s the same injury, but a different ligament. We’ve got to get an MRI and make sure it’s stable, but I would say it’s probably going to be a few weeks.”

Up next: Argos host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night as they look to get their first win of the season. Meanwhile, the Stampeders will host the Ottawa Redblacks next Saturday afternoon and try to remain undefeated.