Special teams spark Argos to 17-16 opening-day win over Stealth

SALT LAKE CITY–

The Utah Argonauts defeated the Utah Stealth, last season’s Rocky Mountain League champions, 17-16 Saturday for their first win of their inaugural season. The special teams unit was the highlight of the day with the kick and punt return teams each returning a kick for a touchdown to seal an Argos victory at Judge Memorial Catholic High’s McCarthey Stadium.

Both teams started off slow, but the Argos were the first to strike, taking a 3-0 lead after a field goal with minutes left in the first quarter. Former NFL cornerback Justin Phinisee showed his merit by returning a punt for the Argos’ first touchdown late in the first quarter to extend the lead to 10-3.

“Special teams is the game, that’s where you win or lose,” Phinisee said. “When I caught the ball I knew I had to get it down the middle. As we move on in the season you’ll start to see even more quickness. I should have had another (touchdown).”

For most of the second quarter, both the Argos and Stealth offenses stalled but with less than two minutes left in the half, the Argonauts were in the red zone poised to take a 17-3 lead. On a pass down the middle, however, quarterback Mike Affleck was intercepted and the Stealth returned the interception as the half expired to tie the game 10-10.

“We let them stay in the game at key points,” Head coach JJ Fayed said. “We could and should have put them away.” READ MORE