Must Read: Honest Admission shines as Argos beat Tiger-Cats 25-14 in pre-season-tilt

The Toronto Argonauts may have identified their next standout receiver in Kevin Mital, the fifth overall pick in this year’s CFL draft. In the final pre-season game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario, Mital showcased his skills by recording five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, contributing to the Argonauts’ 25-14 victory.

Mital’s standout moment occurred in the third quarter when he sprinted down the sideline, hauled in a deep pass from quarterback Bryan Scott, and evaded a tackle on his way to an 82-yard touchdown, extending Toronto’s lead to 19-3.

Reflecting on his performance, Mital expressed his excitement, stating, “It was great. First one in the books, getting that one out of the way. I knew coming out of that break on the corner route, the ball was gonna be up there so I just gotta make a play and make a guy miss.”

Drafted from Laval University after an illustrious U Sports career that saw him win the Hec Crighton Trophy for the most outstanding player in 2022 and earn the Vanier Cup MVP as his team secured the national championship, the 25-year-old Mital has quickly made an impact despite missing the first week of camp. Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie praised Mital’s progress, noting, “Arrow’s up for him. (He’s) playing good football, and we’ll find ways to package him, get him on the field.”

Presumptive Week 1 starting quarterback Cameron Dukes led the Argonauts on their first drive of the game, converting a crucial second-and-10 with a 22-yard scramble before stalling out at the Tiger-Cats’ 10-yard line. Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made a 17-yard field goal to give Toronto a 3-0 lead.

The offense was again forced to settle for a Hajrullahu field goal, this time from 29 yards, on its second drive. However, Dukes finally found the end zone on the following drive after defensive lineman Jared Brinkman recorded a sack-fumble against Ticats QB Taylor Powell and recovered on Hamilton’s 12-yard line. Two plays later, Dukes ran in untouched from the five for the first touchdown of the game.

Dukes, who is set to step in as the lead pivot for an Argos team missing 2023 CFL Most Outstanding Player Chad Kelly, exited the game after completing 10-of-12 passes for 129 yards while adding 27 more yards and a touchdown on the ground. He embraces the competition, stating, “You always got guys coming in to take your job, and coaches are always looking for guys to come in and take the job, so we have that mindset of workers’ mentality. We come in, we’re focused on getting better every single day.”

Bryan Scott, who received most of the playing time after Dukes exited, finished with six completions on 11 attempts for 116 yards and a score. Veteran Nick Arbuckle, who signed with Toronto just two weeks ago, also saw action, completing five of his seven passes.

Harrison Frost took over at QB for the Tiger-Cats after Powell’s fumble and completed 24-of-32 passes for 222 yards. Hamilton scored its first touchdown of the game immediately following Mital’s 82-yard score, with Ante Milanovic-Litre punching in a one-yard rushing touchdown following a spectacular 38-yard grab from receiver Dezmon Patmon.

The Argonauts went on to add two field goals in the fourth quarter, while Hamilton responded with one, resulting in a 25-14 victory for Toronto.