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Montreal had already clinched first place within the East for the primary time since 2012 by advantage of Ottawa’s loss earlier Saturday at Saskatchewan.
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As they head into their third and last bye week of the common season, Alouettes gamers and administration will emphatically state there’s no cause for concern.
Each will argue this staff’s within the driver’s seat within the East Division, and it could be laborious to dispute that declare. Win one recreation at residence, and the defending Gray Cup champions will punch their ticket once more to the CFL championship recreation.
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However what situation will Montreal be in come Nov. 9, after they host both the Ottawa Redblacks or Toronto Argonauts? What will probably be this staff’s frame of mind, given the quite a few warts that proceed to floor — issues that the teaching employees seems unable to eradicate?
The offence doesn’t produce sufficient factors, can’t run the ball and has turn out to be too predictable. However probably the most distressing facet is the play of veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo, who hasn’t regained the shape he displayed earlier than struggling a hamstring harm on July 11, forcing him to overlook 4 video games over a six-week interval.
Defensively, Montreal can’t cease the run. Plain and easy. And the Alouettes don’t get to the quarterback practically sufficient, with the absence of rush-end Shawn Lemon — suspended indefinitely for a 2021 playing violation — changing into extra obvious with each recreation.
The Als clinched first place within the division for the primary time since 2012 Saturday afternoon earlier than the opening kickoff at BMO Area, by advantage of Ottawa’s loss earlier that day at Saskatchewan. And regardless of head coach Jason Maas‘s declare on Thursday that the Redblacks’ outcome would don’t have any bearing on his staff’s efficiency, the other occurred.
Highway to the Cup
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Predictable or not, there will be no excuse for Montreal’s 37-31 loss to the Argos earlier than 14,856 spectators, who have been compelled to endure rain showers all through many of the first half.
“We’re going on the market to win a soccer recreation,” middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey advised The Canadian Press in Toronto following the sport. “We weren’t too involved with anyone else or putting. We’re not going to make use of that as an excuse. We didn’t come out and play our greatest recreation.”
It was the Alouettes’ first loss on the street this season in eight video games, dropping their league-leading document to 11-3-1. Certainly, Montreal hadn’t misplaced on the street in 11 video games, relationship again to Sept. 9, 2023. The staff, arguably, was due.
However the last rating was deceptive because it actually wasn’t that shut, regardless of the groups being tied 22-22 at halftime. The disparity between the golf equipment on this evening was staggering.
The Als, but once more, received off to a gradual begin, held to at least one first down and 25 yards’ internet offence within the first quarter, and managed the ball offensively for barely greater than 4 minutes.
And but, Montreal escaped the interval with a 7-6 lead. A Dionté Ruffin interception — his team-leading fifth this season — led to a 10-yard landing go to tailback Walter Fletcher one play later at 6:30, giving the guests a 7-3 lead.
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Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly, who threw 4 interceptions in final season’s division last in opposition to Montreal, was once more in a weak place following the Ruffin turnover, however the Alouettes let him off the hook.
Nonetheless, the Argos assumed a 19-7 lead 25 minutes into the competition and seemed to be in full management regardless of regularly leaving factors on the sector whereas settling for Lirim Hajrullahu area objectives — 5 within the first half and eight in whole, establishing a franchise document.
Toronto’s solely first-half landing got here on a five-yard run by Ka’Deem Carey, who gained 80 yards on solely 9 carries by the intermission.
Montreal ought to have been rejuvenated for the halftime break, getting again into the sport on Fajardo’s 35-yard landing go to Cole Spieker at 13:23, adopted by a 100-yard punt-return rating from James Letcher Jr. one minute later, his second particular groups landing this season.
However the Alouettes, as everybody has witnessed by now, not often play nicely within the third quarter and have been outscored 6-1, with Toronto getting a landing on a six-yard run by Deonta McMahon.
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Montreal tried to mount a late comeback when Fajardo directed a nine-play, 70-yard drive — because of a 34-yard reception by Reggie White Jr. — that culminated in a one-yard run by short-yardage quarterback Dominique Davis, who additionally fumbled within the second quarter.
The Als wanted three makes an attempt to attain from the Toronto 2, however the groups have been tied 31-31 following a profitable two-point convert. Nevertheless, two extra Hajrullahu area objectives sealed Montreal’s destiny.
Whereas Fajardo accomplished 20 of 29 passes, he might solely produce a modest 225 yards together with the 2 touchdowns. A late desperation go was intercepted.
The Alouettes produced solely two performs of 30 yards or longer, and have been held to 14 first downs, 288 yards’ internet offence and ran solely 46 offensive performs, controlling the ball lower than 25 minutes.
Montreal’s defence was worn out, spending barely greater than 35 minutes on the sector, and had just about no solutions for stopping the Argos. Toronto had 25 first downs, 517 yards’ internet offence and ran 66 performs.
The Argos produced a mind-boggling 234 speeding yards. Carey was held in test over the second half, ending the sport with 90 yards on 13 carries. McMahon had 67 yards on solely 5 carries, whereas Canadian Dan Adeboboye generated 39 yards on eight carries.
Toronto (8-7) moved to inside one level of second-place Ottawa and captured the season collection in opposition to Montreal, scoring 37 factors in opposition to the Alouettes for the second time this season. Maas probably may have some sleepless nights this week. Or not less than he ought to.
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
x.com/HerbZurkowsky1
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