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Toronto Sun
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Zurkowsky: Outmatched Alouettes suffer embarrassing defeat to CFL-leading Roughriders
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson continues to struggle for Montreal in lopsided 34-6 loss. Published Aug 03, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read Saskatchewan Roughriders' A.J. Ouellette, left, gets by Alouettes' Wesley Sutton (37) during first half CFL football action in Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press The slaughter on Pins Ave. began with a 46-yard kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers — and got progressively worse from there. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It would be easy to pile on the Alouettes, and criticize them extensively, following Saturday night's humbling 34-6 defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders before 21,654 Molson Stadium spectators, who endured an approximate 25-minute delay at halftime because of lightning in the area, not to mention the ensuing downpour. There are plenty of holes to fill on the Alouettes, and plenty of blame to mete out, following this embarrassing performance. And while Montreal clearly isn't in the same class as the Roughriders, who have a CFL-best 7-1 record as the regular season is about to reach the halfway mark, the Als' roster, which was already decimated by injuries, took a major hit on this night. Cornerback Kabion Ento, who has a team-leading three interceptions, was a last-minute scratch with a calf injury. Early in the first quarter, the Alouettes lost safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy with what appeared to be an injury to his left shoulder. And the team already was missing linebacker Najee Murray. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Offensively, it appears the Als will be without centre Justin Lawrence for the conceivable future. He was injured in the second quarter and was seen on crutches post-game. Montreal already is without starting quarterback Davis Alexander (hamstring) and two starting receivers — Tyson Philpot (knee) and Austin Mack (ankle). Alexander is already on the six-game injured list and it appears the frequently injured Mack is headed there as well. He has a walking boot on his left ankle and must manoeuvre on crutches. While pro football teams will never use injuries as an excuse, and head coach Jason Maas always has adopted a next-man-up mentality, it's hard to believe the Alouettes can remain competitive with so many players sidelined. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Injuries are part of the season, part of the game,' a remarkably calm Maas said. 'Obviously, at times, they're harder to overcome than others. I thought our guys kept fighting and dealing with them. Obviously, you never want to start a game losing a guy, then losing a couple of extra guys. That's hard. No one has that depth. At the end of the day, you've got to keep playing and find a way. We just didn't do that tonight. There's never going to be an excuse. No question it's never easy and makes it more difficult.' As Maas, a former CFL quarterback, went to bed Saturday night, he undoubtedly contemplated a dilemma his team has at that most important position without Alexander. Namely, can this team win with veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson? It might be a moot point for now, since there doesn't appear to be a viable alternative. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After finally winning his first start in three games last week at Calgary, the 37-year-old took a huge step backward against Saskatchewan. Bethel-Thompson completed 15 of 26 passes for 126 yards. He was intercepted once, should have been pilfered at least once more, and fumbled after being sacked by defensive-end Shane Ray. Looking for a change in momentum, Bethel-Thompson was temporarily benched in the third quarter following the turnover, replaced by an ineffective Caleb Evans, only to return with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth period. While the quarterback always will receive too much credit, or blame when necessary, he's now 1-3 with Montreal after going 3-10 with Edmonton last season. 'That was a tough one,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'I can't remember a time that we felt that out of rhythm on offence and I felt that out of rhythm. We just didn't execute and that was a really, really disappointing performance. We definitely kicked ourselves in the shin, over and over again. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was crazy. Unexplainable and unacceptable to come out and have that performance. That was one of the worst performances I've been a part of. Definitely got to be better.' Forget for a moment the Alouettes were held to two long Jose Maltos field goals — from 56 and 54 yards. Their deepest penetration was to the Saskatchewan 46 early in the third quarter. Montreal was held to 12 first downs and 169 yards' net offence. The Als ran only 48 offensive plays and controlled the ball barely more than 23 minutes. Bethel-Thompson was sacked twice. While Tyler Snead was the Montreal's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 88 yards, the team's longest offensive play was an 18-yard pass to him. Charleston Rambo, arguably Montreal's fastest receiver, didn't have a pass thrown his way. Alexander Hollins, replacing Mack, was targeted only once and didn't have a reception. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Alouettes failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since last Oct. 19, at B.C. Defensively, not even the return of suspended veteran rush-end Shawn Lemon for the first time in a year could galvanize the Als. Trevor Harris passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Meyers caught five passes for 136 yards, while tailbacks A.J. Ouellette and Mario Anderson combined for 122 yards. The Riders had 22 first downs and 418 yards' net offence. With a 5-3 record, Montreal is in no immediate danger and sit second in the East Division, two points behind Hamilton (6-2), who defeated Edmonton earlier Saturday. The Alouettes entertain the Elks on Friday night. The game marks the return of former Montreal starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, who was named the Grey Cup's most valuable player in 2023. Fajardo was traded last winter for Bethel-Thompson. Canada World Toronto Maple Leafs Other Sports Opinion
Montreal Gazette
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Zurkowsky: Outmatched Alouettes suffer embarrassing defeat to CFL-leading Roughriders
Montreal Alouettes By The slaughter on Pins Ave. began with a 46-yard kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers — and got progressively worse from there. It would be easy to pile on the Alouettes, and criticize them extensively, following Saturday night's humbling 34-6 defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders before 21,654 Molson Stadium spectators, who endured an approximate 25-minute delay at halftime because of lightning in the area, not to mention the ensuing downpour. There are plenty of holes to fill on the Alouettes, and plenty of blame to mete out, following this embarrassing performance. And while Montreal clearly isn't in the same class as the Roughriders, who have a CFL-best 7-1 record as the regular season is about to reach the halfway mark, the Als' roster, which was already decimated by injuries, took a major hit on this night. Cornerback Kabion Ento, who has a team-leading three interceptions, was a last-minute scratch with a calf injury. Early in the first quarter, the Alouettes lost safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy with what appeared to be an injury to his left shoulder. And the team already was missing linebacker Najee Murray. Offensively, it appears the Als will be without centre Justin Lawrence for the conceivable future. He was injured in the second quarter and was seen on crutches post-game. Montreal already is without starting quarterback Davis Alexander (hamstring) and two starting receivers — Tyson Philpot (knee) and Austin Mack (ankle). Alexander is already on the six-game injured list and it appears the frequently injured Mack is headed there as well. He has a walking boot on his left ankle and must manoeuvre on crutches. While pro football teams will never use injuries as an excuse, and head coach Jason Maas always has adopted a next-man-up mentality, it's hard to believe the Alouettes can remain competitive with so many players sidelined. 'Injuries are part of the season, part of the game,' a remarkably calm Maas said. 'Obviously, at times, they're harder to overcome than others. I thought our guys kept fighting and dealing with them. Obviously, you never want to start a game losing a guy, then losing a couple of extra guys. That's hard. No one has that depth. At the end of the day, you've got to keep playing and find a way. We just didn't do that tonight. There's never going to be an excuse. No question it's never easy and makes it more difficult.' As Maas, a former CFL quarterback, went to bed Saturday night, he undoubtedly contemplated a dilemma his team has at that most important position without Alexander. Namely, can this team win with veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson? It might be a moot point for now, since there doesn't appear to be a viable alternative. After finally winning his first start in three games last week at Calgary, the 37-year-old took a huge step backward against Saskatchewan. Bethel-Thompson completed 15 of 26 passes for 126 yards. He was intercepted once, should have been pilfered at least once more, and fumbled after being sacked by defensive-end Shane Ray. Looking for a change in momentum, Bethel-Thompson was temporarily benched in the third quarter following the turnover, replaced by an ineffective Caleb Evans, only to return with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth period. While the quarterback always will receive too much credit, or blame when necessary, he's now 1-3 with Montreal after going 3-10 with Edmonton last season. 'That was a tough one,' Bethel-Thompson said. 'I can't remember a time that we felt that out of rhythm on offence and I felt that out of rhythm. We just didn't execute and that was a really, really disappointing performance. We definitely kicked ourselves in the shin, over and over again. 'It was crazy. Unexplainable and unacceptable to come out and have that performance. That was one of the worst performances I've been a part of. Definitely got to be better.' Forget for a moment the Alouettes were held to two long Jose Maltos field goals — from 56 and 54 yards. Their deepest penetration was to the Saskatchewan 46 early in the third quarter. Montreal was held to 12 first downs and 169 yards' net offence. The Als ran only 48 offensive plays and controlled the ball barely more than 23 minutes. Bethel-Thompson was sacked twice. While Tyler Snead was the Montreal's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 88 yards, the team's longest offensive play was an 18-yard pass to him. Charleston Rambo, arguably Montreal's fastest receiver, didn't have a pass thrown his way. Alexander Hollins, replacing Mack, was targeted only once and didn't have a reception. The Alouettes failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since last Oct. 19, at B.C. Defensively, not even the return of suspended veteran rush-end Shawn Lemon for the first time in a year could galvanize the Als. Trevor Harris passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Meyers caught five passes for 136 yards, while tailbacks A.J. Ouellette and Mario Anderson combined for 122 yards. The Riders had 22 first downs and 418 yards' net offence. With a 5-3 record, Montreal is in no immediate danger and sit second in the East Division, two points behind Hamilton (6-2), who defeated Edmonton earlier Saturday. The Alouettes entertain the Elks on Friday night. The game marks the return of former Montreal starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, who was named the Grey Cup's most valuable player in 2023. Fajardo was traded last winter for Bethel-Thompson.
Ottawa Citizen
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Zurkowsky: Outmatched Alouettes suffer embarrassing defeat to CFL-leading Roughriders
The slaughter on Pins Ave. began with a 46-yard kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers — and got progressively worse from there. Article content It would be easy to pile on the Alouettes, and criticize them extensively, following Saturday night's humbling 34-6 defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders before 21,654 Molson Stadium spectators, who endured an approximate 25-minute delay at halftime because of lightning in the area, not to mention the ensuing downpour. Article content Article content There are plenty of holes to fill on the Alouettes, and plenty of blame to mete out, following this embarrassing performance. And while Montreal clearly isn't in the same class as the Roughriders, who have a CFL-best 7-1 record as the regular season is about to reach the halfway mark, the Als' roster, which was already decimated by injuries, took a major hit on this night. Article content Article content Cornerback Kabion Ento, who has a team-leading three interceptions, was a last-minute scratch with a calf injury. Early in the first quarter, the Alouettes lost safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy with what appeared to be an injury to his left shoulder. And the team already was missing linebacker Najee Murray. Article content Offensively, it appears the Als will be without centre Justin Lawrence for the conceivable future. He was injured in the second quarter and was seen on crutches post-game. Article content Montreal already is without starting quarterback Davis Alexander (hamstring) and two starting receivers — Tyson Philpot (knee) and Austin Mack (ankle). Alexander is already on the six-game injured list and it appears the frequently injured Mack is headed there as well. He has a walking boot on his left ankle and must manoeuvre on crutches. Article content While pro football teams will never use injuries as an excuse, and head coach Jason Maas always has adopted a next-man-up mentality, it's hard to believe the Alouettes can remain competitive with so many players sidelined. Article content 'Injuries are part of the season, part of the game,' a remarkably calm Maas said. 'Obviously, at times, they're harder to overcome than others. I thought our guys kept fighting and dealing with them. Obviously, you never want to start a game losing a guy, then losing a couple of extra guys. That's hard. No one has that depth. At the end of the day, you've got to keep playing and find a way. We just didn't do that tonight. There's never going to be an excuse. No question it's never easy and makes it more difficult.'
Winnipeg Free Press
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Brown to start for Redblacks but Adams Jr. out for Stampeders
The Ottawa Redblacks come off their bye week with starter Dru Brown in tow. Brown (neck) will start when the Redblacks (1-6) host the Calgary Stampeders (5-2) on Thursday night. He was injured in Ottawa's 30-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 20, their fourth straight defeat. But Calgary will be without its starter, Vernon Adams Jr (head) as P.J. Walker will get the start in his place. Adams Jr. was injured in last week's 23-21 loss to Montreal. He left the game in the second half following a seven-yard run and didn't return. Montreal outscored Calgary 9-0 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Adams Jr. was enjoying a solid first season with the Stampeders. He's third overall in passing yards (1,913) with nine TDs and six interceptions while rushing 17 times for 139 yards (8.2-yard average) and a TD. More importantly, with Adams Jr. under centre, Calgary had already matched last season's win total. The Stampeders' injury woes don't stop there as Canadian receivers Damien Alford (hamstring) and Jalen Philpot (hamstring) are both out. Meanwhile, the Redblacks are getting healthier with receiver Bralon Addison (shoulder), linebacker Frankie Griffin (knee), cornerback C.J. Coldon (ankle) and centre Peter Godber (hand) all coming off the injured list to suit up versus Calgary. However, Ottawa's offence will need all hands on deck as Calgary's defence leads the CFL in fewest offensive points (17.9) and offensive TDs (eight) allowed. The Redblacks' defence will have to contend with the league's top rushing attack (127.6 yards per game) that's anchored by Dedrick Mills (544 yards, league-high seven rushing TDs). Calgary has also registered a CFL-best four pick-sixes, including two by former Redblack Damon Webb. This marks the second meeting of the season between the two clubs. Ottawa's lone '25 win was a 20-12 decision on a windy, rainy day at McMahon Stadium on June 21. The Redblacks, under Dustin Crum, ran for 239 yards on 31 attempts (7.7-yard average) in that contest. Ottawa is 0-3 at home and 1-2 versus the West Division. Meanwhile, Calgary is 3-0 on the road and 2-2 against East Division opponents. Pick: Ottawa. Toronto Argonauts versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Friday night) At Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers (3-3) will be without starter Zach Collaros (neck). He missed the second half of last week's 31-17 loss to Toronto (2-5), the club's third consecutive defeat. Veteran Chris Streveler, who replaced Collaros last week, is expected to start. Defensively, the home team can't allow the Argos to register points on eight possessions (two TDs, six field goals). Nick Arbuckle remains under centre for Toronto with incumbent Chad Kelly (leg) now on the six-game injured list. Arbuckle threw for 316 yards and two TDs last week with Damonte Coxie recording six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. The defence did its part, forcing seven turnovers. Pick: Toronto. Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus Edmonton Elks (Saturday night) At Edmonton, Hamilton (5-2) chases a sixth consecutive win after outscoring the B.C. Lions 17-10 in the fourth quarter to earn a 37-33 road victory. CFL passing leader Bo Levi Mitchell threw for 389 yards and three TDs, including two to Canadian Kiondre Smith, who had 14 catches for 138 yards. The Ticats are 1-2 versus the West Division but 3-1 on the road while averaging a CFL-best 28.4 offensive points per game. Cody Fajardo is expected to start again for the Elks (1-5) after passing for 346 yards and two TDs in his season debut, a 21-18 loss to Saskatchewan. The Elks have dropped two straight and are 1-2 at home but 1-1 versus the East. Pick: Hamilton. Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Montreal Alouettes (Saturday night) Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. At Montreal, the Alouettes rode the leg of kicker Jose Maltos (three fourth-quarter field goals, game-winner from 58 yards out with 1:10 remaining) to nip Calgary and earn their first win under backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He threw for 280 yards with a TD and interception, but the offence converted on both of its redzone opportunities. Saskatchewan (6-1) stands atop the West Division following its close win over Edmonton. Trevor Harris had 268 yards passing with two TDs while Sam Emilus registered six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. The Riders' defence recorded eight sacks last week to take the CFL lead with 20. Pick: Saskatchewan. Last week: 2-2. Overall: 18-13. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
How an off night for QB Dru Brown played into the Ottawa Redblacks' fifth loss of CFL season
The normally consistent Dru Brown picked a bad time to have his worst half of football as the Ottawa Redblacks' starting quarterback Saturday night in Hamilton. It was more than just the two interceptions he underthrew into the hands of Tiger-Cats defensive back Jamal Peters in quarters three and four — the second of which was particularly untimely as it came at the Ottawa 43 and on the first play after a Kalil Pimpleton 105-yard punt return for a touchdown was wiped out by an illegal block penalty when Ottawa was in front 20-13 with a little more than 13 minutes left in the game. While the Redblacks held the Tiger-Cats to a field goal off that turnover, they did relinquish the lead they had held since scoring on their opening drive when a roughing the passer penalty moved the ball from the Redblacks' 30 to their 15, setting the stage for a Kenny Lawler TD catch just three snaps later. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But with still plenty of time for the Redblacks to make their own comeback, they completely unravelled. The puzzling decision to put William Stanback in place for his first kick return since 2018 backfired when the big running back failed to make a clean catch of Marc Liegghio's offering. Stanback had to retreat to pick up the loose ball, then could only advance it 12 yards to the Ottawa 19. That's when Brown's play became uncharacteristic beyond his first two interceptions of the season. Entering the game with a CFL-best 77.4 completion percentage, he connected on just one of five passes, and even that one would have landed on the ground had Justin Hardy not made a great grab. Of the four misfires, the first was intended for rookie Keelan White and the other three were headed towards Eugene Lewis, who wound up with seven catches for 128 yards but should have had better numbers considering he was targeted 14 times. Brown wound up completing 24 of 38 passes (63.2 per cent) for 283 yards, but was only 11-of-19 (57.8 per cent) for 146 yards in the second half. 'It's tough to lead most of (the game) and then not be able to execute at the end,' he told TSN1200's A.J. Jakubec, before addressing the interceptions. 'If stuff like that happens in the second quarter, it kind of blows over. But there's certain times where you've got to be really focused on what your job is. I think even before the last one, we had an opportunity to get the ball out on the perimeter, and I could have thrown a more catchable (pass) so (the receiver) could get north versus someone outside being involved. So I've look at all those things.' When the Redblacks started the season poorly, it could be justified by the fact Brown had missed three of the first five games with a hip injury. But now he's played half of the team's games, including two in a row, and Ottawa is last in the league with a 1-5 record and the schedule is one-third completed. When they host the Tiger-Cats next Sunday, it will be as big as Game 7s come in football. If Brown doesn't get back to being himself, the Redblacks could go back to being what they were before he arrived in Ottawa: A team watching the playoffs from the sidelines. Remarkably, they had a season-low three flags thrown in their direction, and all of them came in the final 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. One of them was a procedure call on right tackle Zack Pelehos, understandable in that the former Ottawa Gee-Gee was playing in his first game of the campaign after returning from a foot injury. The second, on former Ottawa Gee-Gee James Peter, was an illegal block that wiped out what would have been Pimpleton's second return TD in two games. Head coach Bob Dyce threw the challenge flag on that call, but to no avail. The third was on defensive tackle Mike Wakefield, who was trying to get to Bo Levi Mitchell when he unintentionally came in contact with the quarterback's legs. That flag fell with a sense of impending doom. After they had just stopped the Tiger-Cats on a three-down series in the red zone moments earlier, it was hard to imagine them doing it again. The defence, without question. It allowed the Tiger-Cats 21 first downs (Ottawa managed 17) and 86 yards rushing, but also limited Mitchell to just 23 completions on 41 attempts (56.1 per cent) and two touchdowns. Both of them were on passes to Kenny Lawler, and few other than the CFL's league-leader in reception yards would have made the first — a diving grab into the end zone for a 44-yard score against air-tight coverage by corner C.J. Coldon. The reality is that the Redblacks failed to get a sack and only have seven in six games, and that Mitchell, who entered the night second in passing yards, was not especially sharp. But Ottawa did hold Hamilton to just the one play of 30 or more yards and the Tiger-Cats had scored 86 points in their previous two games. Adarius Pickett led the Redblacks in tackles once again with a total of nine, including just one on special teams. Next in line for total tackles was Ayinde Eley and Bennett Willams, who had five each and were making their debuts as the starting WILL linebacker and safety, respectively. A few things, but glaring in this one was that the Redblacks had a 38-10 ratio in passing/running plays. Particularly confounding was that Daniel Adeboboye, who had the biggest game of an Ottawa running back when he rushed 10 times for 96 yards in the lone win over Calgary, was handed the ball just three times. With a declining workload, Adeboboye's yards-per-carry average has gone from 9.60 against the Stamps to 6.57 against the Argos to 4.33 in each of the last two games.
