REGINA - Mike Miller rolled the dice and his successful gambit resulted in the Toronto Argonauts claiming a 40-34 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.
Trailing 17-13 with just 24 seconds remaining in the first half, the Argos took over on their own 46-yard line. Miller, Toronto鈥檚 first-year head coach, could鈥檝e played it safe and ran out the clock. Instead, he elected to attack.
Quarterback Chad Kelly found receiver Damonte Coxie open down the middle of the field, behind the linebackers and in front of the secondary, for a 37-yard gain down to the Saskatchewan 27-yard line. With just six seconds left, Kelly was flushed out of the pocket but he spotted Tyler Kahmann open at the 10-yard line with the rookie receiver taking the ball into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Argos went on to score 17 consecutive points to take a 30-17 lead and grab control of the contest. For Miller, it all started with the quick-strike touchdown at the end of the half.
鈥淚t was huge. That was an outstanding catch by Coxie. And then a run after the catch, great ball by Chad, good vision," said Miller.
"And then on the second play, we got a little tight there with the clock, but that was really on me. I could have got to that play a little quicker, and I need to do that better next time. But Chad, as you ask your quarterback to do, bailed me out, and guys made plays. And hats off to Tyler too, made a great catch and found the end zone when we needed it.鈥
The true gamble of the play calling was the play following Coxie鈥檚 catch. With only six seconds remaining, it was either score or go away empty handed.
"It definitely was huge making a play because the time really ran out, right? So, it was either all or nothing, and you know, we made a play. That's what we do. We make plays,鈥 said Kelly.
Saskatchewan touchdowns by Tommy Stevens and Daniel Wiebe, sandwiched around a Lirim Hajrullahu field goal, cut the Argos lead to 33-31 five minutes into the fourth quarter. It was the first CFL touchdown for Wiebe who was making his CFL debut.
The Argos sealed the victory when Kelly hit Kahmann on a 21-yard touchdown strike with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter. The touchdown, Kahmann鈥檚 second of the game, came three plays after Saskatchewan receiver Jaylen Johnson fumbled at the Riders' 32-yard line with the Argos recovering the ball.
Saskatchewan forced a turnover with 2:42 remaining when Argos tailback Sam Hicks fumbled after taking a swing pass. However, the turnover was negated by a face masking penalty against Saskatchewan linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr.
The Riders narrowed the gap to 40-34 with 34 seconds left on Alex Hale鈥檚 second field goal of the game. The Argos recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to seal the victory.
Kelly, who posted back-to-back 400-plus yard passing games to open the season, finished 23 of 30 passing for 321 yards. He tossed two touchdown passes and ran five yards for another major. Kahmann had five receptions for 89 yards, while Coxie grabbed four passes for 70 yards.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris completed 34 of 43 passes for 409 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
As much as the loss stings, Harris said the Riders will use the setback as a learning experience.
鈥淭his is a team loss and that's kind of how we look at this no matter what. No matter what the score is, if it's a 10-7 game or a game like tonight or anywhere in-between or a super-high scoring game it's really we lost and we're going to take a look at how we can get better,鈥 said Harris.聽
鈥淐omplimentary football is the name of the game, and pro football is if we can stay on the field and keep our defence off the field, that's going to help them more. If the defence can generate two and outs and the special teams can flip the field for us, then obviously we're going to be in a better position. We're all going to take a look and be better.鈥
Both teams now have 2-1 records following Friday鈥檚 "home" game for the Argos at Regina鈥檚 Mosaic Stadium. It was the first of three Toronto home games moved to alternate venues due to conflicts with the 2026 World Cup schedule. Announced attendance for the game was 25,035.
Toronto started the game with a bang as tailback Sam Hicks darted 61 yards on the first offensive play of the game. The Argos added to the fireworks when, after forcing Saskatchewan to punt on their first possession, Janarion Grant returned Oscar Chapman鈥檚 punt 68 yards for a touchdown to give Toronto a 7-0 lead.
Both quarterbacks turned the ball over deep in enemy territory in the opening half. Kelly was intercepted at the Saskatchewan goal line by Josh Woods on Toronto鈥檚 opening possession. Harris was intercepted in the end zone by Tarvarus McFadden late in the second quarter.
The Riders lost receiver Samuel Emilus in the second quarter when he suffered an apparent leg injury while returning a punt. Emilus was replacing James Letcher, the regular kick returner who left the game in the first quarter with an injury.
UP NEXT
Argonauts: Visit the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday.
Roughriders: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday, July 3.
This report by 好色tvwas first published June 26, 2026.
Note to readers:Changes Harris to Kelly in headlines.
