Franklin throws 4 TD’s as Eskimos end regular season with win over Argos
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos seem to have a pretty good backup plan for the playoffs if something should happen to regular starter Mike Reilly.
James Franklin threw for four touchdown passes, including a pair to rookie Brandon Zylstra, as the Eskimos finished off the regular season by beating the Toronto Argonauts 41-17 on Saturday in a game that meant nothing in terms of the playoff picture.
The defending Grey Cup champion Eskimos (10-8-0), who rested several of their starters, won their final two games and five of their last six. Edmonton moves on to a cross-over East semifinal game against the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton next Sunday.
“It was nice to get out there. There was a little thought in the back of my head that I felt like I would have been rusty since it’s been a long time,” said Franklin, who was 18 for 23 passing for 335 yards. “But it helped out that the O-line and receivers made it pretty easy for me.”