The Toronto Argonauts defeated the Saskatchewan Rough Riders on Thursday night with a walk-off field goal. It was the Canadian Soccer League Opportunity to win a game over the rouge.
Yes, you read that right – Toronto defeated Saskatchewan by missing a field goal.
For those unfamiliar with the CFL, this is your introduction to one of the strangest and most backwards rules in sports. The “Rouge,” also referred to as a “Single” or “Single Point,” is exactly what it sounds like. It gives a team one point, not of an extra point.
Rather, the kicking team receives a rouge if it either punts the football or misses a field goal, and the receiving team not to get the ball out of their own end zone. CFL end zones are 20 yards deep, so there is always a chance for a return… unless the ball goes through the end zone and out of bounds. If that happens and the ball flies out of the back of the end zone, the kicking team is Despite it A rouge is awarded. A missed shot can Despite it Result: a single point.
That’s exactly what happened on Thursday!
Quarterback Chad Kelly, the league’s reigning MVP, had just come off a lifted suspension and showed some rust in his 2024 debut, throwing just 322 passes and one interception without a touchdown.
Although his night was not particularly impressive, Kelly led the Argonauts on a game-winning charge in the fourth quarter, tying the Rough Riders at 19-19 with three seconds left.
Yugoslavian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu came in to kick a 35-yard field goal. The game was on the line, but the pressure to make the kick was pretty low because of the rouge.
Hajrullahu’s attempt looked good for a moment, but he turned left just before the goal and missed the goal.
However, since the kick sailed out of the end zone, Toronto was awarded a point and won!
Argos fans were delighted. They love the blush!
Canadian football is weird in the best way. Toronto won the game by missing a field goal!!!
