(Edmonton) Saturday’s game against the Elks in Edmonton could be decisive for the Eastern standings and the Montreal Alouettes had prepared accordingly during their short week of training. A defeat by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats the day before, however, put an end to the suspense.
With second place in the East in their pocket, the Montreal team began the meeting without much intensity. She allowed the first three touchdowns to the Elks.
The offense, defense and special teams then came together to begin a victorious comeback even before the end of the first half, allowing the Alouettes to win a fourth game in a row, this time by a score of 35-21.
A 23-point surge in the second quarter completely changed the shape of the game. Tyson Philpot was the first to reach the end zone, catching a six-yard pass from Cody Fajardo. This touchdown reduced the gap to 21-10.
Two turnovers, courtesy of the defense and special teams, allowed the Alouettes to add 10 points to the board.
On the first play of the Elks’ next sequence, Tre Ford lost the ball and Mustafa Johnson recovered it. The defensive lineman covered the 38 yards to the goal line.
Deontez Alexander then fumbled the ball while trying to return the Alouettes’ punt; Jake Harty snatched the ball from him and Brock Gowanlock recovered it. Kicker Jose Maltos made a field goal moments later.
The second half was the affair of Maltos, who put all nine points on the board. He made all five of his field goals in that game, the longest coming from 50 yards.
Fajardo completed 23 of 29 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
However, victory seemed almost out of reach halfway through the second quarter thanks to an excellent escape from the blocks by the Elks.
Kyran Moore scored a passing touchdown in the first offensive sequence for the local favorites.
This major placed Jason Maas’s troops behind in the score for the first time in four games. They had not trailed in their three consecutive victories against the Calgary Stampeders and the Ottawa Redblacks.
Taylor Cornelius finished the second sequence with a six-yard run into the end zone on a six-yard effort. Moore then scored his second touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter before the Alouettes got going.
The Alouettes had limited their opponents to 15 points or less in their last three outings.
Ford connected with his receivers 21 times on 30 attempts for 216 yards and two majors. He also ran for 47 yards on five carries.
Former Alouettes Eugene Lewis caught seven passes for 61 yards. He notably made a crucial block that led to Moore’s second touchdown.
However, the location where this meeting will take place remains to be determined. The Tiger-Cats’ 33-30 loss to the British Columbia Lions on Friday night finally handed the Alouettes second place in the East.
The Sparrows will enjoy one last week off before concluding the season schedule by hosting the Tiger-Cats, in a duel that will have the flavor of a dress rehearsal before the start of the playoff tournament.
