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Montreal – Despite a hard-fought game for the Alouettes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the game 30-24 in overtime.
In what was the 2015 regular season finale, the Als handed the ball to Canadian QB Brandon Bridge, was became the 15th Canadian to start a game at QB in the history of the CFL.
The game also saw Alouettes tailback Tyrell Sutton claim the league’s rushing title. The fourth-year Alouette registered 132 yards on 19 carries, giving him 1,053 on the season.
It didn’t take long for Bridge to make his mark on the afternoon, as he guided the Alouettes on an 11-play, 95-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard leap into the endzone by backup pivot Anthony Boone.
On the drive, Bridge showed off many facets to his game that have allowed him to be successful to this point in his career.
After completing his first attempt of the game to fellow 2015 Draft pick Alex Charette, Bridge took off for an impressive 22-yard scamper to give the Als a fresh set of downs.
He then proceeded to march downfield, using both the air and ground game to his advantage.
Aided by an 18-yard run by Sutton and a seven-yard completion to another 2015 Draft pick, Mikhail Davidson, Bridge set the Als up inside Saskatchewan territory with his eyes on the endzone.
Facing second-and-13 after being sacked by Riders rush end John Chick, Bridge heaved a deep ball to Charette in the endzone, only to see the ball fall incomplete. However, a pass interference call on Riders DB Marshay Green gave the Als new life and another shot at finding the endzone.
Two plays later, Boone leaped into the endzone to put the Als up by a touchdown.
The majority of the second quarter saw both offences stumble while trying to find their respective footings. But with just over a minute to go in the first half, Bridge woke up from his brief slumber to lead the Als on yet another drive that would ultimately result in six points.
Highlighted by a 41-yard strike to receiver Cody Hoffman, Bridge led the Als on a six-play, 82-yard drive that saw him throw his first career CFL touchdown pass, a 10-yard dump pass to Sutton to give the Als a 14-6 lead at the half.
The rookie pivot was solid in the first half, completing 14 of his 18 passes for 116 yards and a TD pass.
The first half also saw Alouettes veteran defensive end John Bowman join the record books, registering his 100th career sack. Bowman now sits alone at 10th on the CFL’s all-time sacks list.
Bowman registered another sack in the half, giving him 18 on the season, good enough for the league sack title.
When the second half got underway, Bridge continued to show Als fans watching flashes of what may be in store in the coming years. The South Alabama product completed his first four passes, including gains of 25 and 16 to BJ Cunningham and Charette respectively. However, the drive would eventually stall, forcing Montreal to settle for a 15-yard field goal by kicker Boris Bede.
Following a relatively quiet fourth quarter, Bridge kicked off the final quarter of the 2015 regular season with an absolute bang. On first down, Bridge avoided being sacked, rolled out to his right and heaved a deep bomb to Cunningham in the endzone, who leapt up and hauled in the pass for the touchdown.
The score was Cunningham’s fourth of the season and third in the last two weeks.
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Thank you fans for your support throughout the 2015 season!
