Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/8/2010 at 9:00am

When it was time to shine as a starter, former ASU quarterback Cleo Lemon wasn’t clutch. Chosen as the Toronto Argonauts starter in their CFL opener, Lemon had a less than stellar debut recently.

Gregg Xenakes of The Sports Network writes:

As for the [Toronto] Argos last week, they quickly found out that newly acquired Cleo Lemon probably isn't the answer to their QB prayers. In his first official action in the CFL Lemon, who previously appeared in the NFL and is a product of Arkansas State, completed only 16-of-28 passes for 192 yards and a single score in a 30-16 setback versus Calgary. Lemon, sacked three times in the contest and intercepted once, was also tagged for a pair for fumbles, one of which the Roughriders recovered.

Lemon is the record holder of numerous passing marks at ASU, but has since been an journeyman, playing for four different NFL teams, a team in the now-defunct NFL Europe and now Toronto. Lemon has always been a back up for hire but this was his chance to shine. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Despite the disappointing start, Lemon could have just been adjusting to the Canadian lifestyle and language barrier (think “eh” and “a-boot”) and should be ready to show Toronto fans why he deserves to be their starter. He was once able to make magic in Northeast Arkansas, maybe now he can do it north of the border.

Tagged: Arkansas State Red Wolves, ASU Stadium, Toronto Argonauts, NFL, CFL, Cleo Lemon