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On that surprise onside kick, to open the second half, Argos’ Llevi Noel peeled back, but Lewis Ward placed it perfectly and the Redblacks recovered.

The Redblacks attempted a second onside kick late in the game down by 10 and again recovered when Argos’ Derel Walker lost possession.

After kicking a 50-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game with just under two minutes remaining, the Redblacks elected to kick it deep rather than attempt another onside kick.

The Argos ran the ball and chewed up enough time that, when Ottawa eventually regained possession, there were only nine seconds left on the clock.

“When you look at the first one (onside kick) and Llevi, he actually took one step,’’ said Chamblin. “He (Llevi) could have been a little bit wider. That was a perfect ball. It was executed well for them.

“On the other, it looked like at some point Derel had it. At the end of the day, it didn’t work for us. Those are areas we now know we have to continue to work on and strengthen.”

EFFORT STILL THERE

After reviewing the game film from his team’s 28-21 win — only the third time the Argos have won this season — Chamblin said he did not see any player go through the motions.

“Without a doubt,’’ said Chamblin when asked if players fought until the final whistle. “That was our deal today (Monday). You have to fight to the finish. Wherever you are next year, whether it’s here or somewhere else, you have to have good film out there.

“We have to finish strong. To have a stronger tomorrow you have to invest in today. That’s what those guys are doing

MAKING ROOM

John Murphy’s stamp on the Argos won’t be truly felt until the off-season when the business of football, in this case personnel procurement, begins.

For now, the team’s new director of player personnel, is paving the way for bigger moves.

On trade deadline day, the CFL’s only move involved Murphy sending Zach Collaros to Winnipeg for a draft pick.

On Monday, three players whom Jim Popp brought in were released to free up Toronto’s practice roster, including defensive back Lorenzo White Jr., whose dad played running back in the NFL.