A win in Edmonton
It wasn’t always pretty or perfect, but the Alouettes found a way to take down the Edmonton Elks, 23-20, on Friday night. The Als will now head back home with a perfect 2-0 record.
How did they get it done on Friday night?
Turnovers:
It’s not just that the Alouettes created three turnovers in this game, it’s that they were able to come up with one at the most critical time of the game. The Als had a four-point lead in the fourth quarter when the Elks were driving deep in Montreal territory. The rush got to Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and he threw a deep ball that Kabion Ento intercepted near the goal line.
The Als offence managed to make it a two-possession game on the ensuing drive, as Walter Fletcher ran 39 yards for a major to give his team a 10-point advantage in the final minutes of the game.
Cornerback Nafees Lyon also intercepted a Bethel-Thompson pass in the second half. Lyon played a solid game. He was matched up against Elks receiver Geno Lewis for most of the night, who was a non-factor for most of the game.
“Geno’s a great competitor and receiver, so you have to lock in on your keys,” Lyon said of going up against Lewis. “You have to go out there and do what you do and make a play.”
They also forced a turnover on downs, when Mustafa Johnson sacked Dakota Prukop on third-and-two. The Alouettes defensive tackle just burst through the line to make the play.
Even though the defence has given up just three touchdowns in two games, the players were still very vocal about Friday’s performance not being good enough.
Walter Fletcher’s first statement game in 2024:
Running back Walter Fletcher was outstanding on Friday night, as he accumulated 82 yards rushing, 63 yards receiving and two touchdowns in Edmonton. After the game, Fletcher, who was acquired in a trade with Edmonton in 2022, admitted that lighting up his former team is always more special.
“Every game is important but the ones against Edmonton are always circled on my calendar,” Fletcher said after the game. “Waking up this morning, I had a little more motivation. I’m motivated for every game. I just want to prove that I can be a number one back…I just wanted more respect on my name. I’m using every game as motivation.”
On Fletcher’s first score, which came off a screen pass, he displayed great balance and vision on his way to the end zone. His second major proved to be the game-winning score.
Give the offensive line credit, too. This is a unit that came under fire early last season, but they have been solid since the middle of last season. This year, it’s clear that they have found a level of comfort with each other and their starting tailback.
Spieker’s toughness:
With Tyler Snead (foot) out of the lineup, the Alouettes leaned on both Cole Spieker and Kaion Julien-Grant more.
Spieker scored the first touchdown of the game on a spectacular grab, where he tipped the ball to himself in the end zone. Julien-Grant helped set up that score by accumulating three catches for 63 yards on that opening drive.
Spieker was also involved in a scary moment when he took a hard but clean hit from Luchez Purifoy in the first half. Spieker had the wind knocked out of him and he stayed down for a few seconds but he popped back up and came back in the game.
“I probably could’ve protected myself a little better,” Spieker admitted after the game. “He made a nice play on it and timed it up perfectly. He gave me a good shot to the ribs that knocked the win out of me. I was able to bounce back…it was nice to get back in the game.”
Coming home:
The Alouettes will now return home for their home opener next Thursday night against the Ottawa Redblacks.
On Friday, the organization announced that they have already sold 20,000 tickets for the game. If you don’t have your tickets yet, visit GoAlsGo.com to pick them up before it’s too late.
The team will unveil their 2023 Grey Cup Championship banner prior to kick-off.
