Zurkowsky: From flat to storming again, Alouettes beat Edmonton the exhausting method

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It hasn’t all the time been fairly, contemplating the quite a few ebbs and flows, however the Alouettes are assured their first profitable season since 2019.

And so they did it the exhausting method.

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Montreal noticed Edmonton a 21-3 lead halfway via the second quarter, solely to extremely rating the sport’s remaining 32 factors, for a shocking 35-21 victory over the Elks on Saturday afternoon earlier than 22,822 Commonwealth Stadium spectators.

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It was Montreal’s fourth consecutive victory, enhancing its report to 10-7. Following a bye week within the schedule, the Alouettes will finish the common season at residence towards Hamilton on Oct. 28.

However the recreation gained’t have an effect on the ultimate standings, and the Als will possible relaxation many regulars. When the Tiger-Cats misplaced to B.C. on Friday evening, it secured second place within the East Division for Montreal. For the second consecutive yr, the Alouettes will host Hamilton within the division semifinal on Nov. 4.

The Elks misplaced their third straight and at the moment are 4-13.

“The excellent news right here is we’re a 10-win soccer staff,” quarterback Cody Fajardo advised an Edmonton reporter following the competition. “At the start of the yr, everyone had us to be ninth or eighth within the league. To take a seat right here at 10 wins, it’s fairly spectacular what we’ve executed.

“I assumed we got here out a bit of flat in the present day,” added Fajardo, who accomplished 23 of 28 passes for 258 yards and one landing. He was intercepted as soon as and in addition fumbled, however the ball was recovered by teammate Nick Callender. “The fellows answered the decision. The fellows didn’t hit the panic button. We knew we wanted to deliver some power. Not our greatest recreation or my finest recreation, however we discovered a option to win.”

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Whereas it definitely appeared having their destiny recognized, because of the Ticats, affected the way in which the Alouettes began, head coach Jason Maas disagreed.

“We had a recreation to play, and everyone knew that,” Maas advised the Montreal Gazette by phone. “You most likely have a way of aid, clearly, when you realize you’re going to complete in second. I don’t know whether or not that’s a letdown or not. Our guys got here to work.

“I gained’t say nothing concerning the begin of the sport. I simply suppose Edmonton performed extraordinarily properly initially. They took it to us. They’ve been enjoying properly as of late. There was an adjustment interval we wanted to make. As soon as we began rolling, we began rolling.”

Tre Ford, Edmonton’s Canadian-born quarterback, accomplished eight consecutive passes within the first quarter and the Elks scored touchdowns on their opening two possessions. He additionally gained 33 yards on three carries. Following quarter-hour, Edmonton had 10 first downs and 163 yards’ web offence.

With the rating 21-3, Fajardo led the Alouettes on a seven-play, 65-yard drive, capped by an eight-yard landing cross to Tyson Philpot. Seconds later, Ford was stripped of the ball by rookie defensive-end Lwal Uguak. The ball was recovered by deal with Mustafa Johnson, who returned it 38 yards to the tip zone. It was the ninth defensive landing this season by Montreal.

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Following a Jose Maltos subject objective, one among 5 he kicked, the sport turned on James Letcher Jr.s’ 125-yard subject objective return simply earlier than halftime. It was the eleventh longest return in CFL historical past and the second-longest in staff historical past, following Trent Man’s 129-yarder in 2012.

Montreal scored 23 factors within the remaining 3:21 of the half.

“I attempt to make as many individuals miss as doable,” Letcher advised The Gazette. “I’ve all the time been the smallest man on the sphere, so I hate getting tackled. I’ve to run previous them or juke them. As quickly as he missed the sphere objective I used to be attempting to run as quick as I can. Comply with my teammates as a lot as I can and simply run to inexperienced.

“I’m most likely going to observe it 1,000 occasions, on the bus, on the airplane. I do know persons are most likely blowing my cellphone up. It’s simply loopy. Surreal. It’s actually a blessing.”

Whereas the second half was considerably anti-climactic with the scoring diminished to 3 extra Maltos subject objectives, the Alouettes’ defence additionally assumed management, holding the Elks to 3 first downs, 67 yards of offence and 21 performs.

Within the third quarter alone, Edmonton twice went two-and-out earlier than backup quarterback Taylor Cornelius was stopped brief on a third-down gamble. The Elks dedicated 4 turnovers — two on downs — whereas the Alouettes sacked Ford 4 occasions, together with two by Johnson.

“Our guys compete,” Maas stated. “They compete on each single play and we give attention to each single play. No matter what occurred in Hamilton, we have been coming right here to win. Both method, it didn’t impact what we have been going to do. You don’t watch our guys on the sidelines struggle. You don’t watch the performs which can be being made. Generally you’ve received to present credit score to the opposite staff. Generally they made performs. We needed to regroup. Generally it tells you a bit of bit about your self once they’re making performs. What do you do? Do you stop or maintain enjoying. I feel you noticed the reply in the present day by our staff.

“We’re going to play it doesn’t matter what’s on the road. Once we’re down, we’re not going to stop on each other. That’s the signal of a fantastic staff.”

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