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HAMILTON -- Parachuting daredevils, an illusionist and a receiver who thought he was a superhero for a brief moment.
The Labour Day Classic between the Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats had just about everything last night, including what the Argos absolutely had to have: A win.
Argos head coach Rich Stubler was able to exhale as the Argos recorded a 34-31 victory before 25,911 at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
The rumours that Stubler was to be replaced by Argos CEO Michael (Pinball) Clemons or general manager Adam Rita can be put to rest. Toronto improved to 4-5 and has sole custody of second place in the East Division. Hamilton fell to 2-7, sharing the division cellar with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"Life is good, does that answer it?" Stubler said, pulling open his vest and pointing to a T-shirt logo on his chest.
"We had a big distraction with (rumours of a firing), but I told (his players): 'Hey, if it happens, it happens.' If I die tomorrow, I die tomorrow. I think they will play this week anyway. With all the distractions, the players will play.
"If we are not performing well, then run me out of town. But if we are playing pretty good, then you have to be fair, that's all I ask."
Argos quarterback Kerry Joseph was much more relaxed with Michael Bishop no longer in town and the changes to the Argos defence came as promised.
Veterans Mike O'Shea and Michael Fletcher had their playing time diminished as the Argos, who hired former CFL all-star Mike Walker to give the defence a boost, went predominantly with four men on the line, sometimes using five. Ronald Flemons joined Jonathan Brown, Adriano Belli and Riall Johnson along the front and Kenny Wheaton moved to free safety to take the place of the released Orlondo Steinauer. Jason Shivers made his first CFL start at defensive back.
The new-look defence allowed 259 yards rushing, including 104 to Jesse Lumsden. But it came together and showed signs of its old ways when it stuffed Jeff Piercey with 28 seconds left on third-and-one at the Toronto 44 to take over on downs.
Stubler challenged his defence after Ticats quarterback Casey Printers rushed 26 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter to put the home side up 26-21.
"I told our guys I can't take this s--- anymore," Stubler said. "The last quarter and a half we played great on defence."
Argos running back Bryan Crawford, who mostly is employed on special teams, ran in for a one-yard touchdown with eight minutes to play for the decisive score.
O'Shea, whose CFL career began in 1993 with Hamilton, took the lessened role with dignity.
"Roles are going to change and it is up to every guy to accept their role and cherish it and thrive with it," O'Shea, 37, said. "We won, so I am great with it. It was a good win."
The Ticats threw plenty into the game's festivities, as parachuting experts glided from the sky moments before kickoff and an illusionist entertained at the half.
Argos receiver Arland Bruce, in his strongest game of the season, got into the act, pulling a Spiderman mask from his pants in the first half after he scored a touchdown. Bruce had a season-high 149 receiving yards on 10 catches.
"My son (Arland IV) is a Spiderman fan, and he has a little mask he used on Halloween," said Bruce, who was called for a 10-yard penalty on the play. "I just love Labour Day. It was a lot of fun."
Most importantly, the Argos were stronger all around for their first win since Aug. 1. Had the Ticats won, they would have swept the Argos for the first time since 2001.
"We understand this is our team," Bruce said. "We don't want to put the coach in position where (his job is at stake). We are (going) in the right direction now."
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ARGOS REPLAY
QUITE A RIVALRY
As part of the festivities involving the Labour Day Classic, the Tiger-Cats announced the All-Rivalry Team, a group of 10 players who wore the colours of both the Argos and Ticats and played a role in the intense clashes between the clubs. Those named to the team include DE Joe Montford, QB Damon Allen, WR/K Tommy-Joe Coffey, OL Ellison Kelly, WR Mike Morreale, LB Mike O'Shea, RB Troy Davis, DB Paul Bennett, LB Calvin Tiggle and WR Wally Zatylny. The group was honoured at halftime.
GAMBLING MEN
The Argos faced a third-and-two situation at the Hamilton 42-yard line with five minutes to play in the third quarter. After calmly scrambling, Kerry Joseph found Arland Bruce at the sideline and the Argos turned a nerve-wracking play into a 20-yard gain.
ON HIS HORSE
A simple dump pass to Dominique Dorsey from Joseph in the second quarter led to the longest reception of Dorsey's career. He rumbled 81 yards after making the catch, easily beating his previous best of 22 yards.
LEADERS
PASSING
ATT CMP YDS TD IN
Joseph TOR 33 18 399 1 0
Printers HAM 12 22 161 1 0
RUSHING
ATT YDS TD
Joseph TOR 6 49 0
Lumsden HAM 15 104 0
RECEIVING
REC YDS TD
Bruce TOR 10 149 1
Rodriguez HAM 3 53 0
SUMMARY, STATS: PAGE S12
NEXT UP
Sunday -- Argonauts at Montreal, Percival Molson Stadium, 1 p.m. (TSN, www.fan590.com)