Alouettes' defence leads the way in convincing win at Ottawa

Montreal Gazette

a day ago

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Let's acknowledge that the Alouettes' defence, through two games, has been performing at an elite level.
But let's also state the obvious — both performances have come against backup quarterbacks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It was Ottawa's second drive of the game, and it set the tone for the evening.
'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.'
Along with this turnover on downs, Montreal's defence intercepted Shiltz three times.
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.
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.
'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.'
Montreal already has two defensive touchdowns this season after Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund returned an Arbuckle fumble 17 yards for a score on June 6.
Shiltz, who began his career with Montreal, was replacing Brown, who suffered a hip injury against Saskatchewan. While Shiltz, 32, has 90 games of CFL experience, he has been a career backup and was starting only his 14th game.
He completed 22 of 32 passes against the Als for a modest 205 yards and was replaced by Crum late in the fourth quarter. Ottawa was held to 14 first downs and 235 yards of net offence. Montreal also kept receiver Eugene Lewis out of the end zone. Lewis, another former Alouette, caught five passes for 56 yards, but would have tied a CFL record — held by Terry Evanshen — had he scored for a 10th consecutive game.
Not only did the Als improve to 2-0, it was the team's 11th consecutive victory in Ottawa. Montreal hasn't lost at TD Place since Aug. 11, 2018 and has defeated the Redblacks nine consecutive times. Ottawa dropped to 0-2.
Als quarterback Davis Alexander improved to 6-0 as the team's starter, dating back to last season. He completed 23 of 32 passes for 344 yards and one touchdown — a 16-yard pass to Letcher in the third quarter. Letcher was filling in for suspended receiver Charleston Rambo, who returned home for his wedding.
Danny McManus, who played for numerous CFL teams, started his career with eight consecutive victories while Bo Levi Mitchell, now with Hamilton, went 7-0 to launch his career.
It marked the first time Alexander, now in his fourth season with Montreal, has surpassed 300 yards in a game. Held to 205 yards last week by the Argonauts, that was Alexander's total at halftime against Ottawa.
Alexander distributed the ball effectively, targeting numerous receivers. Tyler Snead caught four passes for 117 yards, including a 65-yarder, while Austin Mack had five receptions for 103 yards, including one of 47 yards. The Als had 22 first downs and 438 yards of net offence. Tailback Travis Theis gained 75 yards on 12 carries — the majority coming late in the game when he replaced starter Sean Thomas-Erlington, who was largely ineffective.
Short-yardage quarterback Caleb Evans scored on a one-yard run midway through the second quarter, while Jose Maltos kicked a career-high six field goals, impressively connecting from 50 and 49 yards. Montreal scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, to turn a one-score game into a rout.
The Als, in the midst of three consecutive road games, are at Edmonton next Thursday night.