'I feel terrible and it hurts': QB Bethel-Thompson's interception costs Alouettes game to Elks
If it was the final pass of McLeod Bethel-Thompson 's career as an Alouette — if not the CFL — it seemed fitting that it was returned for a touchdown.
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With the Als seemingly in control Friday night against Edmonton, leading 13-4 and with the ball at the Elks' 28, Bethel-Thompson attempted a pass for Charleston Rambo. There might have been miscommunication on the play, and perhaps Rambo ran the wrong route, because he was nowhere near the ball.
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The ball went directly to cornerback Tyrell Ford, who returned it 87 yards down the sideline, unimpeded, for a score with 10 seconds remaining in the first half. Instead of heading to the locker room with no worse than a 16-4 advantage, Montreal now had a precarious 13-11 lead.
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Bethel-Thompson was benched for the second half, replaced by Caleb Evans, after completing 10 of 15 passes for only 79 yards.
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While Evans was better than Bethel-Thompson, and got the Als into the end zone for the first time since 9:18 of the second quarter at Calgary on July 24, it wasn't enough.
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Edmonton had the CFL's worst record at 1-6, and had yet to win on the road this season. But Cody Fajardo, Montreal's former starting quarterback, led the Elks on a six-play, 63-yard drive in the final minute, capped by a 15-yard touchdown to Kaion Julien-Grant — another former Alouette — in the visitors' dramatic 23-22 victory before 20,525 Molson Stadium spectators.
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Although Bethel-Thompson had an ice pack on his right elbow in the second half, he clearly was benched and not removed because of an injury.
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'I threw the ball to the other team and they scored a touchdown,' he said. 'That can't happen. I can't throw that ball in that time and that space. I felt like I was good with the ball early, but that's a decision that can't be made. It cost the team.
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'This team is going through stuff right now, and that's hard,' the 37-year-old added. 'I've got to be better. I can't hurt the team with that pick-six. That's potentially a 14-, and for sure 10-point, swing. The game's over at that point if I don't make that decision. I feel terrible and it hurts.'
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In Bethel-Thompson's defence, the Als are missing injured receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack. But Bethel-Thompson also no longer moves well and continues making critical mistakes. On Montreal's opening possession, he overthrew Cole Spieker in the end zone. And before the Ford interception, Tyler Snead was open in the end zone, only to be overthrown.
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Article content If it was the final pass of McLeod Bethel-Thompson 's career as an Alouette — if not the CFL — it seemed fitting that it was returned for a touchdown. Article content With the Als seemingly in control Friday night against Edmonton, leading 13-4 and with the ball at the Elks' 28, Bethel-Thompson attempted a pass for Charleston Rambo. There might have been miscommunication on the play, and perhaps Rambo ran the wrong route, because he was nowhere near the ball. Article content The ball went directly to cornerback Tyrell Ford, who returned it 87 yards down the sideline, unimpeded, for a score with 10 seconds remaining in the first half. Instead of heading to the locker room with no worse than a 16-4 advantage, Montreal now had a precarious 13-11 lead. Article content Article content Bethel-Thompson was benched for the second half, replaced by Caleb Evans, after completing 10 of 15 passes for only 79 yards. Article content Article content While Evans was better than Bethel-Thompson, and got the Als into the end zone for the first time since 9:18 of the second quarter at Calgary on July 24, it wasn't enough. Article content Edmonton had the CFL's worst record at 1-6, and had yet to win on the road this season. But Cody Fajardo, Montreal's former starting quarterback, led the Elks on a six-play, 63-yard drive in the final minute, capped by a 15-yard touchdown to Kaion Julien-Grant — another former Alouette — in the visitors' dramatic 23-22 victory before 20,525 Molson Stadium spectators. Article content Article content Although Bethel-Thompson had an ice pack on his right elbow in the second half, he clearly was benched and not removed because of an injury. Article content 'I threw the ball to the other team and they scored a touchdown,' he said. 'That can't happen. I can't throw that ball in that time and that space. I felt like I was good with the ball early, but that's a decision that can't be made. It cost the team. Article content Article content 'This team is going through stuff right now, and that's hard,' the 37-year-old added. 'I've got to be better. I can't hurt the team with that pick-six. That's potentially a 14-, and for sure 10-point, swing. The game's over at that point if I don't make that decision. I feel terrible and it hurts.' Article content In Bethel-Thompson's defence, the Als are missing injured receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack. But Bethel-Thompson also no longer moves well and continues making critical mistakes. On Montreal's opening possession, he overthrew Cole Spieker in the end zone. And before the Ford interception, Tyler Snead was open in the end zone, only to be overthrown. Article content Article content
