The CFL announced today that Argos RB Andrew Harris and WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. have been named Top Performers for Week 7.
Argos RB Andrew Harris And WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. Named Top CFL Performers For Week 7
Andrew Harris had a historic day this past Sunday, becoming the first Canadian running back ever to rush for 10,000 career yards and just the sixth player in the league’s history to achieve the feat.
The British Columbia native Harris added to his record-breaking day, carrying 26 times for a bruising 143 yards while catching seven passes for 45 yards, helping the Boatmen come from behind in Regina and beat the ‘Riders 31-21. The 12-year veteran and first-year Argo continues a stellar age 35 season, sitting second in the CFL with 407 rush yards and first with an average of 81.4 per game, having played two fewer games than the rush yards leader. Last week Harris moved into fourth all-time in career yards from scrimmage, passing the legendary Milt Stegall.
The career accolades continue to grow for the future first-ballot CFL Hall of Famer. Andrew Harris kept adding to his legacy this past Sunday against Saskatchewan.
- 33 touches, 188 yards from scrimmage
- 7-of-7 targets for 45 yards
- Season highs in carries (26) and rushing yards (143; 5.5 yards per carry)
- Second 100+ rushing yard game of 2022; 29th in his career
- He became the sixth player in league history to reach 10,000 rushing yards; the first Canadian to manage the feat
- Harris is second in the league with 407 rushing yards this season and has added 16 receptions for 125 yards.
- 2022 season: 407 rushing yards (2nd in CFL), 16 receptions for 125 yards
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. had a career day at Mosaic Stadium Sunday evening, hauling eight passes for 152 yards and a major.
The Ottawa native Gittens r. has now had eight receptions in a game three times in his three-year career, while his 152 yards were a new career high. The third-round pick in 2019 caught a pass from QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson 23 yards from the line of scrimmage in the second quarter and took it 47 more yards, untouched into the end zone for the longest touchdown of his career, 70 yards. Gittens Jr. is 12th in CFL receiving yards with 356 on the season and eighth in yards per game at 71.2.
One of Canada’s brightest young receivers, Kurleigh Gittens Jr.’s talents were on full display against the Roughriders in Week 7.
- Eight receptions for a career-best 152 yards (19.0 yards per catch) and a touchdown
- The 70-yard touchdown pass was the longest reception of his career
- Third career game with 100+ receiving yards; first this season
- Leads Toronto in receptions (25) and receiving yards (356)
Looking Ahead To Week 8 For The Argos
The East-leading Toronto Argonauts, 3-2, return home to BMO Field this Sunday to square off with division rival the Ottawa REDBLACKS (0-6). Despite their record, Ottawa has been very competitive all season long in head-to-head battles with Winnipeg, BC and others. The REDBLACKS are coming off two tough divisional losses to Hamilton and Montreal in the final seconds.
The Argos, who have won two straight, and lost by only one point to the still unbeaten Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their last home game nearly a month ago, can’t afford to look past the REDBLACKS.
Toronto has played only one divisional game this season. But that’s about to change significantly. Seven of the Boatmen’s next eight games are against teams from the East. More specifically, against Ottawa and Hamilton. Between now and Week 16, the Argos will play Ottawa three times and Hamilton four times during that stretch.
East Division Standings
| RK | TEAM | GP | W | L | T | PTS | F | A | HOME | AWAY | DIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 106 | 131 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 |
| 2 | Montreal | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 174 | 169 | 1-1-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-1-0 |
| 3 | Hamilton | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 117 | 158 | 1-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 1-0-0 |
| 4 | Ottawa | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 129 | 165 | 0-3-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 |
The Argos are expected to begin their practice week on Wednesday. The team will have several question marks going into Sunday’s BMO Field return. Toronto’s offensive line, specifically at tackle, is barely in one piece. Trevon Tate, Dejon Allen, and Philip Blake, who slid over to the blindside in Week 7 for the walking wounded, could all be questionable or limited moving forward.
Toronto may have to start working the phones and trade market for help at offensive tackle. Especially since starting LT, Isiah Cage suffered a setback from a head injury he suffered in camp and was placed on Double Blue’s six-game injured list this past weekend.
The Boatmen are hitting their stride, but there could be some turbulence in the waters on the horizon. Luckily for them, they have a defense, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, RB Andrew Harris, and WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr., all playing at a top level as they enter a crucial stretch of the season.
