Alouettes' defence leads the way in convincing win at Ottawa
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Let's acknowledge that the Alouettes' defence, through two games, has been performing at an elite level.
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Toronto's Nick Arbuckle, despite being named the most valuable player in the 2024 Grey Cup, isn't Chad Kelly, the CFL's most outstanding player in 2023. And Ottawa's Matt Shiltz isn't Dru Brown, who passed for more than 400 yards a week ago in a loss at Saskatchewan.
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Nonetheless, Montreal's defence produced another outstanding effort Friday night in the team's convincing 39-18 victory against the Redblacks before 21,441 spectators at TD Place.
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The night began with the Als' defence twice holding Ottawa out of the end zone from the one-yard line after linebacker Adarius Pickett recovered a fumble on a James Letcher Jr. punt return at the Montreal 26.
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Backup Redblacks quarterback Dustin Crum twice was denied what should have been an automatic touchdown. But nothing comes easily against this Als unit. Crum was stopped on second down by defensive-tackle Dylan Wynn, who wrapped his arms around one of Crum's legs. On third down, Crum couldn't elude linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, who hit him for a one-yard loss.
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It was Ottawa's second drive of the game, and it set the tone for the evening.
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'You get down in that red zone, our backs are against the wall, (defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe) preaches don't let up,' defensive-back Wesley Sutton told TSN post-game in Ottawa. 'We've just got to keep going. We don't give up. We keep fighting until the end. All the guys, they believe. And that's what happened.'
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Along with this turnover on downs, Montreal's defence intercepted Shiltz three times.
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On the opening play of the second quarter, Shiltz passed directly into the arms of defensive-tackle Lwal Uguak, who returned the ball 31 yards. Later in the same quarter, Cantin-Arku deflected and intercepted a pass.
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But the Als saved the best for last. In the fourth quarter defensive-tackle Shawn Oakman, 6-foot-8 and 292 pounds, tipped a pass high into the air. The ball was caught by Sutton, who returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.
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'Coach Thorpe has been preaching that we've got to get into the end zone,' Sutton said. 'As a defence, it's tough to get in there. But when we do, it's fun. It's just being in the right place at the right time. I was grateful to be able to make a play for my team. Just holding onto the ball and making sure I got into the end zone.'
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