Harris throws for over 400 yards, leads Argos to 40-34 win over Roughriders

REGINA — The Toronto Argonauts defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 40-34 on Friday, handing the defending Grey Cup champions their first defeat of the young CFL season.

Both teams now have 2-1 records following Friday’s “home” game for the Argos at Regina’s 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.

Trailing 17-13 late in the second half, the Argos scored 17 consecutive points to take a 30-17 lead midway through the third quarter. 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 quarterback Chad Kelly hit Tyler Kahmann on a 21-yard touchdown strike with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter. The touchdown, Kahmann’s 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’s second field goal of the game. The Argos recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to seal the victory and end the game.

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.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with the Argos opening a 13-0 lead before the Riders went ahead 17-13 with 1:44 left in the second quarter. Toronto responded by going 63 yards on two plays in the final 24 seconds, with Kelly connecting with Kahmann on a 27-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the half.

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’s 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’s opening possession. Saskatchewan’s Trevor Harris was intercepted in the end zone by Tarvarus McFadden late in the second quarter.

Saskatchewan rookie tailback Quali Conley, starting for the injured A.J. Ouellette, scored his first CFL touchdown on a 17-yard run 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 The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2026.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press