Sat Jun 28 00:31:41 2008

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Robertson keys Argos to win at Winnipeg

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Winnipeg, MB (Sports Network) - Jamal Robertson amassed 102 total yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Toronto Argonauts past the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 23-16, the season-opener for both clubs.

Robertson notched 66 receiving yards on three catches and rushed for 36 yards to make Rich Stubler a winner in his CFL coaching debut. The Argonauts used a dual quarterback threat as newly acquired and reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player Kerry Joseph threw for just 73 yards on 9-of-17 passes. Michael Bishop was more effective, throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown for the victors.

Kevin Glenn threw for 321 yards on 32-of-48 passing, but was intercepted three times in a rare home loss for Winnipeg. Derick Armstrong was the beneficiary of the aerial attack, hauling in seven balls for 116 yards. Charles Roberts accounted for the Bombers' only touchdown while rushing for 76 yards on 13 carries.

Toronto earned a little revenge, having lost to the Bombers in last year's East Division final.

Winnipeg's Alexis Serna knocked in a 15-yard field goal for the only points in the opening quarter,

After a Mike Vanderjagt single, Winnipeg settled for another short field goal from Serna, this time from 22 yards for a 6-1 lead.

After Vanderjagt missed another field goal, the Argonauts looked to be headed to a five-point halftime deficit. However, Bishop dumped off a pass to Robertson in the middle of the field, and the running back rumbled and stiff- armed his way to a 52-yard touchdown with a minute to go in the half.

After the break, Serna drilled his third field goal of the game, a 34-yarder that gave the Bombers the lead, 9-8. But the Bombers fumbled at their own four-yard line later in the quarter, and Robertson punched in his second touchdown of the game from there.

Roberts had an answer in the fourth, pounding in a touchdown from a yard out to help Winnipeg regain the lead, 16-15, just a minute into the quarter.

The Blue Bombers decided to take an intentional safety with a little over five minutes left in the game, as Serna kneeled down in the end zone rather than give Toronto good field position with a punt.

The strategy back-fired, as Vanderjagt nailed 49 and 44-yard field goals to give the victors a seven-point lead, which the defense held up with a pair of interceptions down the stretch.

Game Notes

Vanderjagt helped Toronto win Grey Cups in 1996 and '97 before heading to the NFL, where over nine seasons he became the most accurate kicker in league history. He hit just 2-of-5 field goals in the win...The Blue Bombers recorded 361 net yards, compared to just 230 from Toronto...Winnipeg also had 26 first downs compared to the Argos' 15...The Bombers were tied with the league's best home record last year at 7-2.