TORONTO – In an electrifying climax to Saturday's match, Jarret Doege emerged as the unexpected hero for the Toronto Argonauts, leading them to a sensational 31-30 victory over the Edmonton Elks.

Coming off the bench, Doege orchestrated a crucial drive that ended with Lirim Hajrullahu's stunning 48-yard field goal, sealing the game in the final seconds. After replacing starter Nick Arbuckle—who faced mobility challenges due to a calf injury—Doege executed three of six passes for 35 yards, brilliantly maneuvering the Argos 40 yards downfield to set up the game-winning kick.

"This is my third year in the CFL, and I've really grasped the game well,” Doege reflected. "I felt the nerves, but they disappeared after that first completion. I was focused on getting us into position for the field goal."

Doege spent his first two CFL seasons with Edmonton and relished the opportunity to perform against his former team. "It felt good; it had that extra edge compared to other games," he beamed.

Despite examining Arbuckle's abilities on the field, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie made the decision to swap quarterbacks when Arbuckle could no longer compete effectively. "Nick just wasn't able to move like he needed to," he explained. "Doege puts in the work, arriving early and leaving late. That's what you need from a quarterback."

The Argonauts, now on a three-game winning streak, managed to stay victorious despite trailing for much of the game. Arbuckle connected with Jake Herslow for a 30-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, narrowing the score to 24-21. However, Edmonton responded with Vincent Blanchard’s 16-yard field goal, extending their lead.

In a dramatic twist, defensive lineman Andrew Chatfield Jr. turned the game around for Toronto, scoring a 10-yard fumble-return touchdown that put the Argonauts ahead 28-27.

"Our defensive line really stepped up, which allowed our linebackers to make effective plays," Dinwiddie said. "We're not a finished product yet, but we know the importance of getting better as the season progresses."

Edmonton, in a heartbreaking turn, failed to tie for third place in the West Division, leaving them two points behind rivals Winnipeg and B.C. despite their efforts. The Elks managed to wrestle away six turnovers during the game—a stark contrast to their previous three picks throughout the season.

In the losing effort, Arbuckle completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns, albeit with four costly interceptions. Makai Polk stood out with six receptions for a game-high 95 yards.

On the other side, Cody Fajardo of Edmonton performed admirably, completing 25 of 28 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. However, Justin Rankin's performance was subdued after his explosive 204-yard game last week.

The crowd of 14,742 at BMO Field witnessed a thrilling conclusion, marked by a heartfelt tribute to late co-owner John Candy. Just the previous week, a documentary about Candy premiered.

Herslow scored two touchdowns for Toronto, and Hajrullahu added three field goals, while Blanchard had a solid day for Edmonton with three field goals and three converts.

Looking ahead, the Argonauts are set to face the Montreal Alouettes at home, while Edmonton heads into a challenging matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.