Stegall sets another record in Winnipeg rout

Milt Stegall became the all-time CFL leader in receiving yardage on Friday night, scoring two touchdowns in Winnipeg's 39-9 rout in Toronto and spoiling the return of Don Matthews as Argonauts coach.

Stegall caught just two Kevin Glenn passes, but both went for touchdowns in the second quarter at Rogers Centre. The second went for 92 yards and broke the yardage record of former CFL great Alan Pitts. Stegall finished the game at 14,982 yards.

"Well, I needed 17 yards and had eight games so I figured it would eventually happen," Stegall said. "The bigger relief is we got a good victory, a total team victory.

"I won't lie. The fashion in which I broke the record was something special. To go 92 yards, man, I haven't run that far in a long time but if you put the ball in my hands I try to make things happen. It was certainly vintage."

Stegall, 38, last year became the CFL's all-time leader in touchdowns. He now has 146 career touchdowns.

Glenn also threw scoring passes to Terrence Edwards and Romby Bryant. The Winnipeg pivot completed 15 of 26 passes for 319 yards but had to leave in the fourth after taking a knee to the helmet.

Crucial road win

Winnipeg enjoyed a crucial road win, but there was still room for improvement. The Blue Bombers were fortunate to emerge unscathed from a pair of Glenn interceptions in the second quarter, by Willie Middlebrooks and Kenny Wheaton. The Argo players each returned the ball into Winnipeg territory, but on both occasions the impotent Toronto offence couldn't convert the turnovers into points.

Wheaton took his interception all the way to the Winnipeg six, but then disaster struck for Toronto early in the second quarter.

On second down, Toronto quarterback Kerry Joseph was hit by linebacker Zeke Moreno, with the ball squirting free and falling into the arms of Kai Ellis, who rumbled 96 yards for a touchdown and 14-3 lead.

Moreno and Ellis were each acquired by Winnipeg just days ago, from Hamilton and Montreal, respectively.

Toronto could muster just three Mike Vanderjagt field goals in the game.

Joseph had a miserable night, throwing three interceptions while completing 19 of 37 passes for 239 yards. Joseph has tossed five interceptions in the last two weeks.

Porous defence

Toronto began the week having given up the most points in the CFL and they will finish having scored the fewest of any team. The Argonauts have surrendered seven touchdowns in the air over the last two games.

Matthews is back for a third go-round as Toronto coach after Rich Stubler was fired in the wake of Sunday's 45-19  blowout loss to Montreal.

"Absolutely disappointed about the score," said Matthews. "We didn't have a good enough understanding about the new things we put in.

"That's on me. We have to identify our playmakers and re-dedicate ourselves to find the skills of our players and put them in a position to succeed."

For the second consecutive week, Dominique Dorsey was Toronto's only consistent threat. Dorsey amassed 303 yards in yards from scrimmage, as well as kick and punt returns.

"Dorsey is Mike [Pinball] Clemons in disguise," said Matthews. "He better be in shape because he'll see the ball as much as possible."

After Vanderjagt put Toronto up 3-0 with a 41-yard field goal in the first, Blue Bombers receiver Edwards burned Argo cornerback Byron Parker for a 64-yard touchdown reception from Glenn.

Stegall's two touchdowns followed the Ellis turnover and the result was never again in doubt. The slotback was ridiculously open on the second major, taking the time to jog several yards before kicking into another gear to reach the end zone ahead of pursuing Argo defenders.

Impressive drive

Toronto put together an impressive drive in the third, sparked by receptions from Dorsey, Arland Bruce and Andre Talbot. Matthews opted to go for the end zone instead of another field goal on third down deep in Winnipeg territory, but the play fizzled.

Glenn found Bryant early in the fourth quarter for a 45-yard touchdown, with the receiver easily blowing by cornerback Jason Shivers.

"It was a win we really wanted to have and basically needed to have to keep our drive alive here," said Winnipeg coach Doug Berry. "We won today because we beat them in the first half and the second half and that's how you win football games.

"It was good to see they could come back and play a full four quarters."

The Blue Bombers and Argonauts wore retro jerseys commemorating the 1950 "Mud Bowl" championship game, won by Toronto.

Winnipeg moves into sole possession of third in the CFL East with a 3-8 record. Toronto (4-7) have lost four of their last five games.