Argos miss tying convert as Bombers escape with win

TORONTO — Although Boris Bede missed a routine convert that would have tied the game and forced overtime, his Toronto Argonauts teammates blamed themselves for their heartbreaking loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"A whole lot more points were missed than just on missed kicks," Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson said Monday night after his team slipped to 1-2 in the standings.

With 25 seconds left in regulation, Bede missed a convert attempt that would have tied the game as the Argos fell to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-22 at BMO Field.

But the Argos pivot pointed to his two interceptions and some other turnovers that led to 17 of Winnipeg's 23 points.

"It drives us crazy," Bethel-Thompson said. "It's been three weeks now and we haven't seen the real Argos."

The unbeaten Blue Bombers are the first team in the CFL to reach four wins this season.

"We did enough," Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said. "That's what matters."

Bethel-Thompson overcame a disastrous first half for the Argos to throw for 314 yards. He completed 27 of 37 passing attempts and had two interceptions.

Argos running back Andrew Harris was playing in his first game against the team he helped win consecutive Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021. He was Toronto's leading rusher with 111 yards on 22 carries.

"When it mattered, we came together," Harris said. "That's the best team in the league, unfortunately we lost, but we got some positives once we started playing."

Winnipeg’s defence opened the scoring on Toronto’s first possession after the game.

While deep in their own territory, Bethel-Thompson’s intended pass to Brandon Banks was picked off by Winnipeg’s Winston Rose for a 46-yard touchdown interception return. Kicker Marc Liegghio converted