Argonauts DL Robbie Smith not 2022 Gray Cup for inspiration

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VANCOUVER — The final time Toronto confronted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers within the Gray Cup, Robbie Smith delivered one of many greatest performs in Argonauts championship historical past.

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Two years later as Toronto prepares for a rematch with Winnipeg on Sunday at B.C. Place Stadium, Smith’s clutch efficiency is however a distant reminiscence.

“Pinball (Argos GM Mike Clemons) has an incredible saying,” Smith mentioned. “It goes one thing like, ‘If what you probably did yesterday seems good immediately you then haven’t executed a lot currently.’

“It’s one thing I attempt to stay by as a result of day by day is a brand new day and I attempt to not stay prior to now. I’m going into a brand new scenario, it’s a brand new slate.”

On Nov. 20, 2022, Toronto held a slender 24-23 lead as Winnipeg’s Marc Liegghio lined up a 47-yard area objective with 54 seconds remaining at Mosaic Stadium.

Earlier, Smith had sacked Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros however obtained a third-down facemask penalty that helped get the Bombers to Toronto’s 40-yard line.

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Nonetheless, the six-foot-two, 245-pound Brampton, Ont., native greater than made up for it by blocking Liegghio’s attempt to cement Toronto’s beautiful victory.

“You already know what’s humorous?” Smith mentioned. “I truly haven’t watched that recreation since.

“I attempt to not.”

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Smith was extra receptive to speaking about Regina’s recreation performed outdoor. B.C. Place Stadium’s retractable roof is anticipated to be closed Sunday.

“I wouldn’t complain about that,” Smith mentioned. “That final Gray Cup in Saskatchewan was fairly chilly.”

Winnipeg seems in a fifth straight Gray Cup and chases a 3rd victory.

The resilient Bombers opened the season with 4 straight losses and a 2-4 file earlier than reeling off eight straight victories, dropping one, after which capturing their regular-season finale to complete atop the West Division.

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Collaros threw 4 TD passes to guide Winnipeg previous Saskatchewan 38-22 in final week’s West last. Brady Oliveira, the CFL’s prime participant and Canadian, rushed for 119 yards and a TD.

The 2024 marketing campaign has actually been a roller-coaster for Toronto.

The CFL suspended beginning quarterback Chad Kelly for the pre-season and Toronto’s first 9 regular-season video games for violating its gender-based violence coverage.

Kelly, the league’s excellent participant final 12 months, was reinstated in August when the Argos have been 5-4.

With Kelly again, Toronto (10-8) completed second within the East, then dispatched Ottawa 58-38 within the semifinal.

That arrange a division last rematch with the Montreal Alouettes, who compelled 9 turnovers and returned two of Kelly’s 4 interceptions for TDs in a 38-17 upset street win final 12 months.

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Toronto returned the favour final weekend, downing Montreal 30-28 at Molson Stadium. However Kelly (leg) was injured, so backup Nick Arbuckle makes his first Gray Cup begin Sunday.

Toronto swept Winnipeg 2-0 this season however solely by a mixed 5 factors. The Argos defence registered 12 sacks and 9 turnovers (4 fumbles, two interceptions, 3 times on downs).

Final weekend versus Saskatchewan, Winnipeg’s offence gathered 482 web yards with no sacks allowed.

“I see a veteran group that’s performed collectively quite a bit,” Smith mentioned of Winnipeg’s offence. “I undoubtedly see a formidable opponent however not one we’re petrified of or will again down from.

“As a defensive lineman I’m going to say the entrance seven wins video games and nice front-seven play has been a key to our success.”

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The competition will probably be certainly one of conflicted allegiances for Winnipeg centre Chris Kolankowski’s household. The six-foot-one, 309-pound Kolankowski is a Toronto native who started his CFL profession with the Argos, incomes a 2017 Gray Cup ring.

Kolankowski, a Blue Bomber since 2021, has disagreeable recollections of Toronto’s ’22 victory.

“That was robust as a result of I stay downtown and noticed the celebrations and commercials of when the Gray Cup was there,” he mentioned. “In-season, I like enjoying there as a result of I’ve lots of household in Toronto.

“After I return within the low season, I hear quite a bit concerning the video games in opposition to Toronto . . . I hope I can return this season the correct method. It (going through Argos) clearly provides somewhat totally different aspect to it however I really feel like after this a few years, it’s type of simply one other recreation.”

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Smith gives Kolankowski a tie — and a distant one — to the ’24 Argos. Kolankowski and Smith’s older brother, Christopher, have been offensive linemen at York College.

Vancouver hosts the Gray Cup for a seventeenth time and tenth event at B.C. Place, however first at that stadium since 2014.

Sport tickets have been nonetheless accessible Saturday, starting from $128.20 _ together with taxes and costs — for the higher deck of the 55,000-seat venue to $1,080.25 for a front-row seat.

Over 50,000 spectators are anticipated come opening kickoff.

“I stay for large crowds, it makes the sport what it’s, it’s so thrilling,” Smith mentioned. “You’re feeling the power as quickly as you stroll into the stadium so I undoubtedly don’t assume it’s one thing to run from.

“It’s one thing to embrace.”

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Toronto chases a CFL-best nineteenth Gray Cup title and has gained its final seven appearances courting again to 1991. The Argos are additionally 8-0 versus Winnipeg within the large recreation.

Winnipeg makes a twenty ninth Gray Cup look — most in league historical past — and seeks its thirteenth win. The final victory was a 33-25 time beyond regulation determination over Hamilton at Tim Hortons Subject in 2021.

Winnipeg dropped final 12 months’s recreation 28-24 to Montreal, additionally in Hamilton.

The Jonas Brothers — Nick, Joe and Kevin — are the Gray Cup’s halftime present. The internationally acclaimed trio carried out in Vancouver in November 2023 throughout its The Album tour.

So will Smith, 27, duck out of Toronto’s locker room to absorb the present?

“I really like the Jonas Brothers,” he mentioned. “However I’m positive I might catch a recap on YouTube or one thing like that.”

Nation artist Owen Riegling of Mildmay, Ont., headlines the kickoff present. Toronto’s Sofia Camara performs the nationwide anthem.

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