Argonauts Aim to Rebound at Home Against Red-Hot Stampeders
The spotlight is firmly on BMO Field this weekend as the Toronto Argonauts prepare to face off against the Calgary Stampeders in Week 2 of the CFL season. After a rough start to their Grey Cup title defence with a 28-10 loss in Montreal, the Argos are counting on home-field advantage to spark a turnaround. And why not? Under head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, Toronto has been dominant at home, boasting a 16-2 record at BMO Field over the last two seasons.
Wynton McManis, the heart of Toronto’s defence, is feeling the buzz. He says the energy of Argos Nation makes a tangible difference. “We see them at practice, and when they show up to games, it feels like they’re right there on the field with us,” McManis shared. “That gives us a little more juice.”
Toronto’s strong home record isn’t just about the fans — it’s about executing, and that’s something Dinwiddie emphasizes. “If we win our home games, we’re in a strong position to make the playoffs,” he said. But there’s a personal twist too: Dinwiddie has struggled against the Stampeders, with a 3-4 record, while Calgary’s coach Dave Dickenson holds an impressive 12-3 mark versus Toronto.
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Calgary looked sharp in their season-opening win over Hamilton, particularly on the ground. Running back Dedrick Mills tore through for 94 yards and three touchdowns, leading a 158-yard team rushing effort. That spells trouble for Toronto’s defence, which allowed 163 rushing yards against Montreal.
But Toronto is planning for that. “We know Mills is a problem,” McManis said. “So we’ve got to rally — all 12 hats to the ball.”
Offensively, the Argos will once again start veteran quarterback Nick Arbuckle as Chad Kelly continues recovering from injury. Arbuckle had flashes of brilliance last week, throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown, but turnovers proved costly. Dinwiddie wants more consistency: “We had some solid drives, but we’ve got to finish. It’s about sustaining that momentum.”
Meanwhile, Calgary’s Vernon Adams Jr. is set to lead the Stamps again. Despite two interceptions in his debut, he still managed nearly 300 total yards and brings a dangerous dual-threat presence. McManis acknowledged Adams’ versatility, saying the key is making him uncomfortable. “He’s seen it all, but we’ll try to throw some things at him that he hasn’t seen before.”
There’s plenty at stake. Toronto is trying to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2019, while Calgary wants to break a two-game losing streak at BMO Field. Both teams split wins last season, each protecting their home turf. Now, the Argos are hoping history — and their fans — are on their side once again.
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