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TORONTO — He’s chasing a profession milestone, however Toronto Argonauts working again Ka’Deem Carey has his eye on a distinct prize.
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The Argonauts can clinch second within the East Division — and residential discipline for the opening spherical of the playoffs — with a win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday afternoon at BMO Subject. Carey is third in CFL speeding with 1,005 yards and wishes simply 84 to surpass the career-high 1,088 yards he recorded two years in the past with the Calgary Stampeders.
Two weeks in the past, Carey and his teammates had been hesitant to debate Saturday’s contest as a result of each Toronto (9-7) and Ottawa (8-7-1) had different video games looming. Now, the division showdown turns into an important contest on each groups’ schedules.
“If you preach issues into existence after which it’s sitting in entrance of you, you get extra excited for that chance,” Carey mentioned. “You’ve received a rival coming into your house, it’s going to be an excellent recreation.
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“Hopefully we will beat them and convey it again right here once more.”
Toronto has received two straight to face second, one level forward of Ottawa, which has dropped 4 consecutive video games. However the Redblacks _ within the playoffs for the primary time since 2018 — can clinch dwelling discipline for the semifinal by profitable their remaining two regular-season video games with the Argos and Hamilton subsequent Friday.
Carey, who turns 32 on Oct. 30, has loved a stellar first season with Toronto. He has his second 1,000-yard marketing campaign in three seasons and has appeared in each recreation after being restricted to only 9 in ’23 with Calgary.
“This recreation is far more necessary to me,” Carey mentioned. “I’m far more excited in regards to the alternative to clinch this dwelling (playoff) recreation on our dwelling discipline.
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“That may be a pleasant reward (given) the season we’ve had. To get a house recreation and play on our turf — you understand how loud it will possibly get right here and the way loopy it may be — I’m enthusiastic about that.”
Toronto is coming off wins over Montreal (37-31 on Sept. 28) and Winnipeg (14-11 final week), the East and West Division leaders, respectively. The Argos ran for 234 yards in opposition to the Alouettes, then recorded seven sacks in halting the Bombers’ eight-game win streak.
Nonetheless, it’s been a roller-coaster marketing campaign for the Argos, who opened ’24 minus quarterback Chad Kelly. The CFL’s 2023 excellent participant missed the pre-season and Toronto’s first 9 regular-season contests after being suspended by the league for violating its gender-based violence coverage.
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Sophomore Cameron Dukes (4-4) and veteran Nick Arbuckle (1-0) led Toronto to a 5-4 file earlier than Kelly’s reinstatement in August. Dukes accomplished 138-of-192 passes (71.9 per cent) for 1,404 yards with seven touchdowns and 6 interceptions whereas speeding for 299 yards and 4 TDs.
Since returning, Kelly has hit on 154-of-232 passes (66.4 per cent) for two,120 yards with seven TDs and eight interceptions. He has additionally run for 189 yards and 4 TDs.
Toronto is 4-3 with Kelly and has received three-of-four video games general. Kelly has additionally thrown for 300 or extra yards thrice, one thing neither Dukes nor Arbuckle did.
The five-foot-nine, 206-pound Carey has turn into a giant a part of a Toronto offence that’s averaging a league-best 124.4 yards speeding per recreation. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie mentioned establishing the run can be key in opposition to Ottawa, which is tied for second general in sacks with 37, seven behind the league-leading Argos.
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“They get after the passer so we’ve received to run the ball downhill, we’ve received to manage the road of scrimmage,” Dinwiddie mentioned of the Redblacks. “If we get the run recreation going that’s going to gradual their cross rush a bit bit.”
Ottawa’s Michael Wakefield is tied with Toronto’s Jake Ceresa for many sacks (eight). Lorenzo Mauldin IV, the CFL’s high defensive participant in 2022, and Argo Ralph Holley are in a bunch only one off the tempo.
Quarterback Dru Brown (ankle) begins for Ottawa after veteran Jeremiah Masoli and Dustin Crum each performed in Monday’s 19-12 loss to Montreal. Receivers Justin Hardy (ankle) and Bralon Addison (hand) and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox (knee) all return from damage.
Hardy leads the CFL in receptions (90) and is second in yards (1,241). He’s 231 yards shy of Gerald Alphin’s staff file (1,471 yards, set in 1989).
An Ottawa participant hasn’t led the CFL in receiving yards since Corridor of Famer Tony Gabriel in 1977.
Ottawa received the primary assembly 41-27 at TD Place on Sept. 7. Brown was 30-of-40 passing for 349 yards and a TD whereas Dominique Rhymes had 10 catches for 138 yards.
Kelly accomplished 36-of-56 passes for 463 yards however had 4 interceptions with three TDs, two going to Damonte Coxie.
A victory Saturday evening might give Ottawa its first season sweep of Toronto since ’85 when the franchise was the Tough Riders.
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