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The 37-23 defeat was solely Montreal’s second in 20 video games.
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The Alouettes have been taking part in with fireplace currently. It was solely a matter of time earlier than the defending Gray Cup champions had been going to get burned.
Almost two weeks in the past, Montreal trailed Edmonton by 11 factors at halftime however shut out the Elks within the second half and received. One recreation earlier than that, on Aug. 16, the Als trailed Saskatchewan by 4 factors on the highway heading into the fourth quarter, but manged to win.
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Certainly, of the Als’ 10 victories this season, the crew has trailed in seven at numerous factors.
However on Friday night time, overcoming an 11-point deficit in opposition to a proficient B.C. crew — even at house — proved too onerous.
The Lions, backed by the bruising operating of former Montreal tailback William Stanback, defeated the Als, 37-23, Friday night time earlier than a capability crowd of 23,035 at Molson Stadium.
Stanback, who performed 5 seasons with Montreal earlier than requesting, and being granted, his launch final winter, gained a season-high 128 yards on 20 carries, together with a 38-yard landing within the third quarter on which he broke quite a few tackles; a number of Als defenders unable to take down the 6-foot, 233 pounder who signed with the Lions as a free agent. Stanback additionally caught two passes for 28 yards.
“It feels nice for myself general and truthfully for this group as nicely,” Stanback mentioned throughout a televised post-game interview. “We’re turning the web page now. We had a stoop in the midst of the season. It feels good to return out right here and get this win.
“This date was circled within the calendar,” added Stanback, who had two 1,000-yard seasons for Montreal, was the East Division’s nominee as most excellent participant in 2021 and was a two-time CFL all-star.
Highway to the Cup
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Stanback has 938 speeding yards this season in 13 video games. The Lions received their second consecutive recreation, enhancing to 7-6, after ending a five-game dropping skid and have now defeated Montreal in seven of the final 9 video games.
B.C. was coming off a brief week, having performed final Saturday, practised solely twice main as much as the match and flown throughout the nation on Thursday. They had been additionally coping with a three-hour time change. Nonetheless, the guests uncovered many chinks within the Als’ armour.
Montreal, it needs to be remembered, was well-rested coming off a bye week and will have pounced on its weary opponent. As an alternative, it was the Als who repeatedly appeared somnolent, failing to make the most of 4 Lions’ turnovers, together with three interceptions thrown by Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke.
Greater than as soon as this season the Als’ run defence has been uncovered, and the Lions produced 188 speeding yards. On the Lions’ opening drive, fullback David Mackie ran off-tackle for a 23-yard landing on what ought to have been a short-yardage play. Rourke scored B.C.’s closing landing on an 18-yard run, initially making an attempt to run up the center, bouncing off his linemen, earlier than sweeping to the left, untouched.
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The Lions punctured the Als’ defence for 472 internet yards and 26 first downs. Rourke, the CFL’s excellent Canadian in 2022, accomplished 22 of 28 passes for 304 yards and a 15-yard landing move to Ayden Eberhardt. Rourke accomplished passes to seven totally different receivers, and B.C. had 5 performs of 20 yards or longer.
“We simply didn’t do sufficient tonight,” Als head coach Jason Maas informed reporters post-game. “When these sorts of issues have occurred to us we’ve realized from them and so they don’t are inclined to repeat. That’s what we wish to do — get higher from this one.
“I give (the Lions) a number of credit score, coming in right here and beating us. With the turnovers they nonetheless managed to maneuver the ball and rating factors. We should be higher and shore some issues up. It’s by no means one man or one factor. Tonight we simply weren’t ok.”
Als quarterback Cody Fajardo accomplished 27 of 37 passes for a modest 240 yards, together with an over-the-shoulder landing catch simply by Cole Spieker earlier than halftime that narrowed the Lions’ result in 17-13. Fajardo was additionally intercepted as soon as on a move that deflected off Walter Fletcher’s fingers.
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No matter momentum the Als carried into halftime was squandered when Fajardo fumbled on the opening play of the third quarter, ultimately leading to one in every of Sean Whyte’s three subject targets. Fajardo additionally was underneath fixed strain behind a line that isn’t sturdy sufficient and was sacked 4 instances.
The third quarter, as soon as once more, proved troublesome for the Als, who had been held to eight offensive performs and one first down. Even following a Dionté Ruffin interception on the Lions’ 19, Montreal needed to accept a subject objective — one in every of three from Jose Maltos.
The Als actually might have used receiver Austin Mack, now on the six-game injured record (ankle), becoming a member of fellow sidelined receivers Tyson Philpot, Tyler Snead and Kaion Julien-Grant. Mack was changed by Jose Barbon, taking part in his second recreation, whereas Reggie White Jr. got here off the apply roster.
With a 10-2 document and having turn into the primary CFL crew to clinch a playoff berth, the sky’s not falling on the Als simply but. Certainly, the defeat was solely the second in 20 video games, stretching again to final September. And whereas Montreal has but to lose in 5 highway video games this season, the crew should now journey for 3 consecutive weekends, starting subsequent Saturday night time at Calgary.
There’s probably a lot to ponder shifting ahead.
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