TORONTO — One more yard would’ve made Isaiah Smith’s solid debut as a CFL starter an even more memorable one. The Canadian rookie running back ran for 99 yards in his first CFL start Saturday night, helping Toronto earn a 39-20 home win over Hamilton. But in the fourth quarter, Smith reeled off a 10-yard run to the Tiger-Cats’ one-yard line that set up Chad Kelly’s touchdown run to round out the scoring. That yard would’ve not only put Smith at 100 for the game but resulted in his first CFL touchdown. “That (100-yard game) would’ve been a milestone I would’ve loved (to achieve),” Smith said. “But I’ve got plenty more weeks in the season to try and get it so that’s what the goal is going to be.” Toronto selected the six-foot, 230-pound Smith in the second round (11th overall) of the 2026 CFL draft. The 23-year-old Burlington, Ont., native ran for 880 yards on 141 carries (6.2-yard average) with five touchdowns over 21 games at Guelph and was the OUA’s top rookie in 2022 with 495 yards on 85 carries (5.8-yard average) and three TDs in seven contests. Heading into Saturday’s game, Smith had rushed for 116 yards on 31 carries (3.7-yard average) in spot duty behind rookie starter Sam Hicks. But Toronto went bigger against Hamilton, placing the five-foot-nine, 190-pound Hicks (team-high 383 rushing yards, 5.9-yard average) on the practice roster, promoting Qualan Jones (five foot 10, 242 pounds) from the PR to the active roster for his first CFL regular-season game while installing Smith as the starter. The roster shuffling resulted in Toronto rushing for a season-high 145 yards. Jones ran nine times for 37 yards versus Hamilton as the Argos improved to 4-0 this season when they’ve recorded 100 or more rushing yards in a contest. But both Smith and Jones were especially effective in the fourth quarter with Toronto leading 25-20. Smith ran five times for 58 yards while Jones registered five carries for 29 yards. “It (CFL start) was actually amazing,” Smith said. “It was like a dream come true, something I’d been dreaming of all of my life and it was good to finally work for something that you want. “When it comes and it’s here, God willing, you go out there and do your best. That’s all you can ask for really.” Smith and Jones gave Toronto’s ground game a noticeable boost. The Argos entered Saturday’s game standing eighth overall in CFL rushing (79.7 yards per game) while Hamilton’s defence was ranked fourth against the run (91.2 yards per game). “I know it was said on our draft that you would never take a Canadian running back that high,” said Toronto head coach Mike Miller, who’s also the club’s offensive co-ordinator. “Well, he’s a special back … he’s just getting started. “He’s a very hard worker, smart kid, he plays with great passion. Kadeem Carey (Toronto’s running backs coach) does a great job with those running backs. He (Smith) worked hard and so did Qualan, they did a nice job.” Toronto receiver Damonte Coxie, who had two TD catches versus Hamilton, agreed. “I thought (Smith) played really well, both of them,” Coxie said. “We’re going to build on that.” With last week’s win, Toronto (5-5) assumed sole possession of second in the East Division with a game in hand on Hamilton (4-7). The Argos tied their season series versus the Ticats heading into their final regular-season meeting Sept. 7 in the annual Labour Day clash at Hamilton Stadium. This season, Smith has rushed for 215 yards on 46 carries (4.7-yard average) while adding six catches for 77 yards. He has also registered seven kickoff returns for 126 yards. Toronto visits the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon. But a Labour Day victory would give the Argos the season series with Hamilton and the tiebreaker should the two teams end the year tied. “Honestly, these guys respond well to that, so we’re just ready to go out there,” Smith said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 24, 2026. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
