Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph threw for a touchdown and ran for another for the second straight week to help give coach Kent Austin a win in his return to Toronto.

Saskatchewan (5-2) beat Toronto 24-13 for their third consecutive win. Joseph found receiver D.J. Flick on the game's last points, with Wes Cates scoring a rushing touchdown for the Roughriders to open the scoring.

Roughrider D. J. Flick tries to fight the grasp of Argo Kenny Wheaton during action Friday in Toronto.
(Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Austin was Toronto's offensive co-ordinator for over two seasons, but was sacked midway through the 2006 campaign. He exchanged friendly words with Toronto coach Mike Clemons at the end of Friday's game.

"I've been watching him all year, we've talked all year and exchanged messages," Clemons said. "We talked before the game and I'm really proud of him.

"But I wish he would've lost this one."

Toronto (2-5) have dropped their last four games. Big mistakes once again helped doom the Argonauts.

With the score 17-13 Riders midway through the fourth, usually reliable Toronto returner Bashir Levingston fumbled Luca Congi's missed field goal, with Wayne Smith recovering for Saskatchewan deep in Argo territory.

"The ball was like a cupcake and I was ready to dive on it," Smith said.

Two plays later, Argonauts defensive back Kenny Wheaton had what seemed a certain interception, but Joseph's pass went through his arms and into the hands of Flick, who took it in for a 14-yard touchdown.

Rocky Butler was solid in his first start at quarterback for Toronto. Butler finished 23-for-32 passing for 303 yards and an interception that was not his fault, against a defence that entered the week the CFL's best.

He threw a touchdown to Arland Bruce, with Noel Prefontaine adding two field goals.

"I felt very comfortable," Butler said. "There was no pressure, just stand back there and throw the ball.

"We did a lot of great things, we did a lot of bad things. We just didn't play a complete game."

Quarterback woes

Butler, who spent five seasons as primarily a backup in Saskatchewan, was signed by Toronto less than a month ago when Michael Bishop was injured. The beleaguered Argonauts have used four different starting pivots already this season, including Damon Allen and Mike McMahon.

Joseph caught the Toronto defence napping on the game's opening drive, finding Flick all alone for a 45-yard pass play. Cates capped the drive with a four-yard scoring run.

The Saskatchewan running back finished the night with 98 yards on 18 carries.

Butler completed a pair of passes to Frank Murphy on a drive that set up a 20-yard Prefontaine field goal.

Joseph again took advantage of a blown coverage late in the first, finding Matt Dominguez uncontested on the sidelines for a 35-yard play. The Saskatchewan quarterback took it in himself from 10 yards out early in the second for a 14-3 lead.

The next Argo miscue came on offence. Murphy bobbled a pass right into the hands of Saskatchewan defensive back Sean Lucas. Congi made a 26-yard kick to pad the Riders' lead.

Butler got his team in the end zone late in the second, finding Bruce with a 34-yard touchdown. At half, Toronto trailed 17-10.

Joseph didn't miss a snap despite banging his wrist on a helmet late in the third. The quarterback finished 15-of-23 passing for 188 yards to help get his coach the win against the team that fired him.

"Every win is special," Austin said. "It is my former team while Saskatchewan is my team [now].

"Every game is important. It's not about me, it's about those guys [the players]."

Saskatchewan returns on Aug. 18, hosting Edmonton. Toronto will get a much-needed break, returning Aug. 24 in Winnipeg.