Hajrullahu’s 34-yard field goal gives Argos a 16-14 overtime win over Bombers

TORONTO — Lirim Hajrullahu’s 34-yard field goal in overtime gave the Toronto Argonauts a wild 16-14 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday night.

Hajrullahu scored three points after Winnipeg’s Sergio Castillo missed his club’s first possession of overtime from 41 yards out.

Toronto (4-3) recorded its second straight win, but only its third in nine games against the Bombers.

Winnipeg (2-6) suffered a second straight loss and finished 0-4 this season. And although the Bombers are coming home, they host the rested BC Lions (5-2) on Thursday night.

Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros hit Ontario Wilson with a 55-yard TD strike at 11:02 of the fourth to tie it 13-13. That came after Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill stopped Cameron Dukes on third-and-1 inside the visitors’ 30-yard box to force the turnover on downs with 5:18 left.

But Toronto’s defense forced a crucial turnover on downs. Instead of attempting the go-ahead field goal, Winnipeg went for it on third-and-one, but the Argos stopped Chris Streveler just shy of the first down at the home team’s 21-yard line with 54 seconds left.

After a scoreless third, Collaros looked to Nic Demski, but Toronto defenseman DaShaun Amos got his hand on the ball, which then bounced off Demski, allowing Tavarus McFadden to catch it. He ran 41 yards for the TD at 2:26 to break a 6-6 tie, to the delight of the BMO Field gathering of 14,994.

While Toronto’s offense struggled in the game, the defense kept the team going with three fumble recoveries and five sacks.

Collaros completed 25 of 32 passes for 317 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Toronto’s Nick Arbuckle completed 12 of 22 passes for 87 yards, replacing starter Dukes in the second quarter.

Hajrullahu had two field goals and a convert in regulation time for Toronto. Castillo kicked two field goals and a convert in regulation time for Winnipeg.

Hajrullahu’s 37-yard field goal at 12:14 of the second made it a 6-6 game at halftime. Castillo had a shot to put Winnipeg ahead, but missed from 42 yards with 14 seconds left.

The score went Toronto’s way, as Winnipeg controlled the first half, amassing 218 net offensive yards compared to just 69 for the Argos. Collaros was a solid 15-of-20 passing for 169 yards, but the Bombers’ offense was plagued by two dropped fumbles and Castillo’s miss.

Dukes started at quarterback for Toronto, but after completing three of four passes for 34 yards, he was replaced in the second by Arbuckle. Arbuckle fared worse, completing three of five attempts for 16 yards.

Castillo’s 40-yard shot at 8:06 gave Winnipeg a 6-3 lead.

Castillo’s 15-yard field goal at 9:57 of the first period opened the scoring, before Hajrullahu scored from 48 yards out at 4:41.

NEXT ONE

Argonauts: Visit the Calgary Stampeders (3-4) on Sunday, August 4.

Blue Bombers: host the BC Lions (5-2) on Thursday evening.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2024.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press