Canadian QB Tre Ford to start when Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit Toronto Argonauts

TORONTO — It was home for four years but Wynton McManis wants to spoil the reunion.

The veteran linebacker will return to BMO Field on Saturday night when Hamilton visits Toronto in a key East Division matchup. McManis, 31, is in his first season with the Tiger-Cats after leading the Argonauts to two Grey Cups over four years with the franchise.

“It’s going to be good to see some of the people that I know but … I’m not going to make this game bigger than what it is,” McManis told reporters in Hamilton on Thursday. “We know it’s a rivalry game, it’ll be my first time playing back in Toronto, (there) will be some good feelings there but, man, I want to win.

“You probably hear me say it all the time, dog, every team we face, I want to beat them as badly as we can. I want to destroy their will and it’s no different this week.”

Hamilton (4-6) can not only take sole possession of second in the East with a win but also clinch the season series with Toronto (4-5) heading into their traditional Labour Day showdown Sept. 7. The Ticats edged the Argos 24-23 at Hamilton Stadium on July 18 when Lirim Hajrullahu missed a 31-yard field goal to end the game.

“This is a really important game for us just based on the way our season is going and us continuing to find our groove and get things rolling,” McManus said. “Toronto is a team almost in the same situation where they’re trying to find themselves too.

“We can’t expect anything less than to get their best and they shouldn’t expect anything less either.”

Canadian Tre Ford was Hamilton’s starter in the first meeting and will be under centre Saturday. The Niagara Falls, Ont., native rallied the Ticats to a 26-19 home win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week, coming off the bench in the second half to replace injured starter Harrison Frost.

Ford completed 13-of-17 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown while adding 38 yards rushing. In the first meeting with Toronto, Ford was 21-of-27 passing for 218 yards with a TD and interception but also ran for 109 yards.

“He definitely adds another dynamic to their offence,” said Toronto middle linebacker Isaac Darkangelo. “It’s just being aware of where he’s at, being able to contain him in the pocket and having eyes on what he’s doing during the play.

“He’s a great quarterback and knows how to handle the situation. Having been able to watch him and having faced him already definitely helps us.”

Toronto looks to rebound from last week’s 42-12 loss in Edmonton, a game that saw the Argos commit six turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles, twice on downs) and allow JJ Ross’s 85-yard pick-six. Darkangelo had nine tackles to tie his season high but Chad Kelly was 21-of-31 passing for 265 yards with two interceptions, giving him a league-high 14.

Still, Kelly has completed 70.3 per cent of his passes for 2,937 yards (third-most in CFL) with 18 touchdowns (fourth overall).

Toronto’s offence tops the CFL in passing (353.6 yards per game) and stands second in net yards (411.9) but is eighth overall in rushing (79.7). The Argos are 3-0 when they run for 100 or more yards and the ground attack could be important given there’s rain in Saturday night’s forecast.

“That (establishing the run) is a week to week battle,” Toronto head coach Mike Miller said. “This is a good front, Brent (Ticats defensive coordinator Brent Monson) does a great job with that defence.

“They’ve got a lot of talent and we know we’re going to have to come ready to play. But we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Hamilton’s offence is seventh overall in rushing (95.2 yards per game) and last in net yards (322.4). But Ford’s mobility can create threats for timely big plays.

“Just his ability to extend, he’s a strong kid, strong arm and he’s a dangerous player,” Miller said of Ford. “He gets out on the perimeter, he can make guys miss, he can hit targets everywhere on the field.

“We want to try to play complementary football … we’re always trying to look for that four-quarter effort and playing smart, fast and physical.”

Argos rushing leader Samuel Hicks (383 yards, 5.9-yard average) won’t play Saturday after going on the practice roster. Canadian rookie Isaiah Smith, Toronto’s second-round pick in 2026, will start.

Hamilton has won six of the last seven matchups between the two teams. Toronto defensive lineman Shawn Lemon, 37, has sacks in all three games he’s played this year and four overall, giving him 107 (and counting) over his illustrious 15-year career.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press