Hajrullahu-jah: Toronto Argonauts walk-off Redblacks (& seven other thoughts)

Photo: Guang Quan/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Coming off a Labour Day Classic victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Toronto Argonauts opened the CFL’s quadruple-header on Saturday with a 26-23 win over the winless Ottawa Redblacks in front of 12,494 fans at BMO Field.

Here are my thoughts on the game.

Can I get a Hajrullahu-yah?

364 days ago, Lirim Hajrullahu walked off the then-lowly Edmonton Elks to give the Argonauts a dramatic home victory. Fast forward to Saturday, and Hajrullahu did it again, this time from 29 yards out.

The game was a perfect example of how unpredictable the kicking game can be. After having a convert attempt blocked earlier in the game, Hajrullahu drilled a 29-yard field goal as the clock struck zero. He finished four-for-four on field goals for the day.

Hajrullahu was shaky to start the year, then spent five games out of the lineup. Clearly, the 36-year-old has rediscovered his old form.

Playing with their food

The Argonauts entered today’s game as 10.5-point favourites. It was one of the most lopsided point spreads of the CFL season thus far.

When you look at the box score, you’d think the Argonauts covered the spread. The Redblacks went seven-for-19 on second down and Toronto finished with 277 more yards of net offence.

They didn’t cover that number.

Ottawa threw everything the Argonauts and kept the game closer than the stats suggested, but in the end, the Boatmen found a way. They say in sports that a win is a win, and it is, but this is one the Argonauts need to put in the rearview. If they give the Elks the same chances that the Redblacks got on Saturday, things could get ugly in a hurry next week.

Even something as simple as going zero-for-four on red zone attempts in the first half is something that needed to be fixed.

“Listen, we’ve gotta be on point every single play,” said franchise quarterback Chad Kelly postgame. “When you see 0-4 in the red zone, that’s terrible.”

Kelly overcomes errors

Chad Kelly had two interceptions on the day, both of which went to Pickering, Ont. native King Ambers.

Both interceptions happened relatively early, making it appear as tough Kelly could be in for a rough day. However, the veteran learned from the early mistakes to end the day 35-of-43 for 443 yards, two touchdowns, and two picks. Kelly now has 4,404 passing yards on the season, breaking a previous career-high of 4,123 back in 2023 when he was named M.O.P.

Playing against a familiar face in Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, Kelly said he had a sense of what was going to happen schematically.

“I kind of expected what R.D. was going to do. He brought the boundary half more times than not,” said Kelly. “Make the single receiver guy have to think about what to do, and that’s pretty much it. He knew what he was doing. Obviously, he knows where to get us from, and I’ve got to do better and just get the ball out probably faster.” 

Big play Dave

One bright spot for the Argonauts was the outstanding performance of Dave Ungerer III. He finished the game with seven receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown, including a game-long 85-yard catch that provided a major spark for Toronto’s offence.

It was Ungerer’s first 100-yard receiving game since 2024, which also came against Ottawa. His breakout performance came at an important time, showcasing his ability to make critical catches, create explosive plays, and contribute consistently in high-pressure situations.

With the Argonauts boasting one of the deepest receiver rooms in the league, Ungerer III’s performance served as a reminder that he can be a major part of the team’s passing attack moving forward.

“Play in, play out, whatever opportunities I get, make the most of them. That’s my job, so that’s what I’m here to do,” said Ungerer III.

As for the touchdown catch, the veteran target provided some details on that postgame.

“This one was predetermined, called in the huddle,” he said. “I knew based on where I was on the field that I was in a good spot. I had a good idea of how I wanted to run the route. That was more of a comeback and go, so I’m just happy it worked out.”

Run game helps

The run game wasn’t at its peak on Saturday, but it did enough to help share the load.

The duo of Isaiah Smith and Qualan Jones both had solid days on the ground. Smith carried the ball 15 times for 84 yards, while Jones added 18 yards on three carries; each back recorded a long of 16 yards.

Smith and Jones had been questioned as the lead backfield, especially with Sam Hicks shouldering much of the workload earlier in the year. Their performances showed they’re the one-two punch the Argonauts need to succeed now, for the rest of the year, and potentially into November.

He’s the Kah-man

Another receiver who had an impressive day was Tyler Kahmann, who made a critical catch that proved to be one of the major differences between a walk-off victory and the chaos of overtime. He finished with his fourth 100-plus-yard game of the season, recording eight catches for 105 yards.

Kahmann has continued to demonstrate just how important he is to the Argonauts’ success in 2026. His consistency, reliable hands, and ability to make key plays in crucial moments have made him a vital part of Toronto’s offence and a significant reason the team remains in its current position.

“I’m happy that the coaches and Chad, they believe in me to go make plays like that,” said Kahmann. “I’ve always said it with Chad, it don’t matter. I don’t think I’ve ever caught that route with one high (defender) like that. With Chad, you’ve gotta run your route because you might catch the ball, so it was beautiful.”

Looking to lay the smackdown

The win has improved Toronto’s record to 7-6 and given the Argonauts a three-game lead over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for second place in the East Division standings. It also moves them to a perfect 3-0 at BMO Field this season.

The Argonauts now look ahead to next Saturday, when the Edmonton Elks make their lone trip to Toronto this season at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

The last time these teams met in Edmonton, it was a complete squash match, with the Elks winning 42-12.

Now, coming off a win against the Redblacks, the Argonauts will aim for their eighth victory of the year and deliver a Stone Cold Stunner to the Elks as they fight to hold onto first place in the West Division.