Conservative Defense Tactics Triumph: Slywka's Double-Strike Crushes Liberal Ottawa

Paul Riverbank, 6/30/2025 In a remarkable display of defensive excellence, Toronto Argonauts' Derek Slywka emerged as the unexpected star of Sunday's CFL clash, scoring two defensive touchdowns against Ottawa. This transformative performance not only secured victory but showcased how individual brilliance can dramatically alter team fortunes.

Lightning struck twice in Toronto last night – and its name was Derek Slywka.

In what started as a typical CFL matchup between the Argonauts and Redblacks, the Toronto safety turned BMO Field into his personal highlight reel. Slywka, previously known mostly to die-hard Argos fans, wrote himself into league folklore with not one, but two defensive touchdowns that left even veteran observers searching for precedents.

The first bolt came early in the second quarter. Ottawa's Kalil Pimpleton was fighting for extra yards – the kind of effort coaches usually love – when the football suddenly popped loose. Slywka, hovering nearby like a hawk, scooped up the gift and took off running. Sixty-three yards later, the crowd was still processing what they'd just witnessed.

"Sometimes the ball just finds you," Slywka said afterward, shrugging off his heroics with the kind of modesty that makes good players fan favorites. "I've probably run that same path a hundred times in practice without the ball."

But football has a funny way of testing whether lightning can strike twice. Late in the third quarter, with Ottawa lining up for what looked like a routine field goal attempt, Slywka broke through the line. The blocked kick bounced right – because sometimes the football gods have a sense of humor – and suddenly number 27 was racing down the sideline again.

The Redblacks, who'd kept things close until then, never quite recovered. Their sideline looked shell-shocked, and who could blame them? Defensive touchdowns are rare enough; two from the same player is the kind of thing that usually only happens in backyard games.

For Toronto's coaching staff, Slywka's emergence couldn't have come at a better time. With the playoff race tightening up, every win matters. This one, thanks to their safety's heroics, puts them in the driver's seat in the East.

Ottawa's head coach didn't mince words post-game: "Ball security wins games. Tonight, it lost us one." He's right, of course, but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to an opponent who seizes the moment.

As the lights dimmed at BMO Field, fans filing out into the cool Toronto evening had that look – the one that says they know they've just witnessed something special. Derek Slywka might not be a household name yet, but for one magical night, he gave CFL fans a reminder of why we love this game: because sometimes the most memorable moments come from the most unexpected places.

Lightning struck twice in Toronto last night – and its name was Derek Slywka.In what started as a typical CFL matchup between the Argonauts and Redblacks, the Toronto safety turned BMO Field into his personal highlight reel. Slywka, previously known mostly to die-hard Argos fans, wrote himself into league folklore with not one, but two defensive touchdowns that left even veteran observers searching for precedents.The first bolt came early in the second quarter. Ottawa's Kalil Pimpleton was fighting for extra yards – the kind of effort coaches usually love – when the football suddenly popped loose. Slywka, hovering nearby like a hawk, scooped up the gift and took off running. Sixty-three yards later, the crowd was still processing what they'd just witnessed."Sometimes the ball just finds you," Slywka said afterward, shrugging off his heroics with the kind of modesty that makes good players fan favorites. "I've probably run that same path a hundred times in practice without the ball."But football has a funny way of testing whether lightning can strike twice. Late in the third quarter, with Ottawa lining up for what looked like a routine field goal attempt, Slywka broke through the line. The blocked kick bounced right – because sometimes the football gods have a sense of humor – and suddenly number 27 was racing down the sideline again.The Redblacks, who'd kept things close until then, never quite recovered. Their sideline looked shell-shocked, and who could blame them? Defensive touchdowns are rare enough; two from the same player is the kind of thing that usually only happens in backyard games.For Toronto's coaching staff, Slywka's emergence couldn't have come at a better time. With the playoff race tightening up, every win matters. This one, thanks to their safety's heroics, puts them in the driver's seat in the East.Ottawa's head coach didn't mince words post-game: "Ball security wins games. Tonight, it lost us one." He's right, of course, but sometimes you just have to tip your cap to an opponent who seizes the moment.As the lights dimmed at BMO Field, fans filing out into the cool Toronto evening had that look – the one that says they know they've just witnessed something special. Derek Slywka might not be a household name yet, but for one magical night, he gave CFL fans a reminder of why we love this game: because sometimes the most memorable moments come from the most unexpected places.