Game Summary

The Eskimos came into Toronto in a 3-way tie for first place in the West while the Boatmen where looking to improve on 1-2 record that had them placed third in the East. The game started as a tight defensive battle with neither team scoring until 9:57 into play when K Sean Fleming’s 23-yard FG gave Edmonton a 3-point advantage. Toronto responded quickly as DB Marcello Simmons scooped up a blocked punt and rambled 9-yards into the end zone for the Boatmen’s third punt return TD in as many games. K Noel Prefontaine’s convert made the score 7-3 after one period of play. However, the second quarter was all Eskimos. QB Jimmy Kemp called his own number and plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out at 2:50. Fleming’s convert was good and the Eskimos were out in front by a 10-7 margin. Prefontaine’s 45-yard FG attempt at 10:37 was wide, however, the single cut the Edmonton lead to 10-8. Kemp then orchestrated the game’s first arial TD when finding SB Joseph Rogers in the end zone for a 23-yard TD with just under a minute to play in the first half. Fleming’s convert split the uprights increasing their lead to 17-8. However, the Argonauts were determined to answer right back. QB Jay Barker marched his team downfield capping off the drive with a 2-yard rushing TD. Prefontaine’s convert was good and the two teams went into the locker room with the Eskimos out in front by a 17-15 margin. Fleming put the Eskimos up by a 20-15 thanks to a 41-yard FG. Prefontaine responded with an 80-yard punting single cutting the lead once again to 20-16. Prefontaine got the Boatmen to within one 0:40 into the final stanza when his 15-yard FG attempt split the uprights. Just under four minutes later, he tied the game with a at 20 when his 48-yard FG attempt was unsuccessful. The game stayed that way until 13:28 when Kemp threw his second TD pass of the game, a 10-yard bullet to WR Jamie Richardson. Fleming’s convert gave the Eskimos a late 7-point lead. That lead was short lived, however, as Jay Barker one again called his own number with no time left on the clock for a thrilling 3-yard rush. Prefontaine nailed the convert sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, Fleming won the game on the last play of the second overtime quarter striking a 21-yard FG giving the Eskimos a 30-27 victory.