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However, on the opposite facet of the ball, Montreal continues to wrestle. “We’re not enjoying (offensively) at a super-high degree proper now. We have to be higher,” head coach Jason Maas says.
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When Jim Popp was the Alouettes’ basic supervisor he usually acknowledged CFL groups want to attain 30 factors per sport to succeed.
Popp by no means was a lot of a head coach, however was prescient and knew of what he spoke.
Listed below are the factors his former workforce has scored since mid-August:
Twenty-seven in opposition to Saskatchewan; 21 in opposition to Edmonton; 23 in opposition to B.C.; 19 in opposition to Calgary and 24 in opposition to Ottawa on Saturday afternoon.
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Nonetheless, Montreal’s file over that span is 3-1-1. Go determine.
The Alouettes are once more in full management of the East Division following their 24-12 victory over the Redblacks earlier than a near-capacity crowd of 23,530 at TD Place.
Whereas there might need been a small margin of concern after the Als had gone two video games with no victory — an eternity for the defending Gray Cup champions — these fears have been quickly assuaged, however solely due to a beautiful efficiency by Montreal’s defence.
Offensively? The Alouettes aren’t adequate. Interval. Will that finally catch as much as them? Time will inform, though defence wins championships and Montreal rode a stellar defence to final season’s title.
The victory improved their division-leading file to 11-2-1, whereas growing its highway undefeated streak to 10 video games relationship again to final season.
The Alouettes are already assured a house playoff sport, however ought to have little issue ending first and internet hosting the division remaining following an opening-round post-season bye. That’s a state of affairs that hasn’t all the time labored, because the 2023 Toronto Argonauts can attest.
Highway to the Cup
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Montreal has 23 factors, six forward of the Redblacks (8-5-1), who now have misplaced two consecutive division video games. And given the spate of Ottawa’s accidents, this workforce seems to be in some hassle heading into the season’s stretch run. In handing the Redblacks their first defeat at dwelling this season, the Alouettes now even have captured the season sequence in opposition to Ottawa.
“Clearly, this one meant rather a lot for the place we’re within the standings,” Alouettes head coach Jason Maas instructed reporters in Ottawa post-game. “We labored laborious for this victory. To come back in right here to this place the place it has been robust for anyone to win this yr, to exit and try this, it’s a giant win.”
The Als are removed from a well-oiled machine, however are getting issues executed, largely, on defence and particular groups. Two of soccer’s three phases is likely to be sufficient to propel Montreal to a different Gray Cup look.
Montreal held the Redblacks to 1 landing — and that didn’t come till the third quarter, 38 minutes into the competition. Additionally they made life depressing for beginning quarterback Dru Brown, intercepting the inexperienced pivot twice within the first quarter.
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One, lower than 5 minutes following the opening kickoff, was returned 79 yards for a landing by Dionté Ruffin to open the scoring. Brown was throwing to Andre Miller, who slipped on the play, offering Ruffin with a simple turnover.
“That’s what we’ve been preaching all season, begin quick and end quick,” Ruffin mentioned throughout a televised halftime interview. “That’s what we wish.”
On the Redblacks’ subsequent offensive possession, Brown’s go over the center was intercepted by linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku. Chosen ninth total by Montreal on this yr’s Canadian school draft, it was his first profession interception.
Brown left the sport with an ankle harm within the second quarter after finishing eight of 16 passes for 68 yards. Ottawa was trailing 17-3. Brown was changed by veteran Jeremiah Masoli for the second consecutive week and, whereas the change proved to be an improve, it was removed from enough.
Masoli accomplished 17 of 26 passes for 218 yards and a 25-yard landing strike to Justin Hardy, narrowing the Redblacks’ deficit to 21-12 following a failed two-point convert try.
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Whereas the Alouettes pilfered two passes, they simply might have give you 4 extra. So many defensive gamers stood out. Mustafa Johnson knocked down two passes and had a sack; Tyrice Beverette had two tackles for losses, whereas Wesley Sutton almost pilfered two balls and had a sack. Beverette led Montreal with seven defensive tackles.
“The defence was super,” Maas mentioned. “I imply they’ve been super all yr, however tonight they took away the ball. They stored them out of the tip zone for almost all of the evening. They had been tenacious.”
Offensively, it wasn’t adequate. Once more. And it was one other sluggish begin. The Alouettes had been held to 1 first down within the opening quarter and generated solely 20 internet yards, their time of possession lower than 5 minutes. Montreal struggled within the second half as effectively, held to 4 factors.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo was in a position to take some photographs downfield, given Montreal was main, whereas finishing 16 of 27 passes for 226 yards. He scored the Als’ solely landing on a one-yard run halfway by means of the second quarter to cap a seven-play, 84-yard drive.
Regardless of struggling what seemed to be a nagging harm to his proper facet, Maas inexplicably had Fajardo carry seven instances for 29 yards, even leaving him on the sector for third-down gambles. Fajardo additionally was sacked thrice because the offensive line continues to wrestle.
Montreal was held to fifteen first downs and 285 yards’ internet offence whereas operating 52 performs.
“We’re not fairly a completed product,” Maas admitted. “Now we have to shore some issues up. We’re not enjoying (offensively) at a super-high degree proper now. We’ve received to be higher.”
Jose Maltos kicked three discipline objectives for the Alouettes to run his consecutive streak to 21.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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