The Toronto Argonauts built a 29-point lead against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday before holding on in the end to avoid a major collapse.

With the help to a pair of big plays, the Argos defeated the Bombers 31-23 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Bombers QB Kevin Glenn (5) attempts to pull away from Toronto defensive back Chuck Winters Sunday at the Rogers Centre.
(Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Running back Dominique Dorsey delighted the home crowd with an electrifying 97-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. Defensive back Kenny Wheaton added to the excitement with an 84-yard interception return for a TD early in the third.

"The playoffs are in our hands," said Argos linebacker Kevin Eiben. "If we come out and play like we can play, we're in and have a good chance of going to the Grey Cup.

"If we don't … we're going to miss out and be kicking ourselves."

Winnipeg was able to score two late touchdowns but simply ran out of time.

"There wasn't enough time on the clock to come all the way back," said Bombers quarterback Kevin Glenn. "Their defence makes it tough to put together a 10- or 12-play drive."

Toronto quarterback Bishop bounced back from a dismal performance a week ago to lead the Argos with 225 yards and a touchdown. While he only had three receptions on the day, Frank Murphy added 83 yards and one score.

Winnipeg (7-4-1) remains three points ahead of the Montreal Alouettes for first place in the East Division despite the loss. The Alouettes (6-6) failed to gain any ground after dropping a 16-10 decision at home against Edmonton.

Toronto (5-7), meanwhile, was able to pull within two points of Montreal for second place with the victory.

Dorsey's run helped Toronto to a 21-1 half-time lead. Wheaton's interception just 2:33 into the third gave the Argos what looked like an insurmountable 28-1 advantage.

Wheaton also delivered a thunderous hit on Winnipeg's Jamie Stoddard with 3:06 remaining.

"I told [teammate Jordan Younger] that it wasn't over," Wheaton said. "I might've thought that my first year here in 2003, but this game is never truly over.

"I knew with a couple of big plays — which they got — they would be right back in it."

Glenn hit stride late in game

Wheaton's words prove prophetic.

After an ineffective first half that saw him pass for just 73 yards, Bombers QB Kevin Glenn found his groove as he threw for 380 yards and a pair of TDs in the final 30 minutes.

Glenn's 11-yard touchdown strike to receiver Terrence Edwards at 11:56 of the third cut Toronto's lead to 31-9.

His 67-yard completion to Edwards in the fourth quarter help set up a two-yard TD run by running back Charles Roberts at 5:17, brining Winnipeg to within 15 points.

Eiben and defensive back Chuck Winters had potentially game-saving interceptions bounce off their hands.

"It was one of those things where you say, 'OK, it's going to come right down the end, we're going to have to keep fighting,'" said Toronto coach Michael Clemons. "If Eiben catches that ball, it's pretty much a done deal.

"But this time of year … teams just don't give up."

The Bombers then had a glorious opportunity for another touchdown with more than two minutes remaining, but turned over the ball on downs at Toronto's 11-yard line.

Glenn did find Derick Armstrong for a 30-yard TD pass at 14:59 to finish out the scoring.

Murphy had Toronto's other touchdown, while kicker Noel Prefontaine booted three field goals with two more points coming on a safety.

Winnipeg kicker Troy Westwood and punter Rob Pikula also booted singles.

With files from the Canadian Press