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Ranking Alouettes’ defensive touchdowns in 2023

9 – Week 17 – Shawn Lemon fumble returned for a touchdown against Ottawa:

Shawn Lemon is one of 13 CFL players in the history of the league to have 100 quarterback sacks, but this touchdown in Week 17 was the first of his career! Can you believe that? This major helped put the game to bed for the Alouettes.

8 – Week 18 – Tyrice Beverette’s fumble returned for a touchdown against Ottawa:

The 28-year-old has had an incredible season as a full-time starter for the Als. With the team leading the Redblacks 19-0 in the fourth quarter, Reggie Stubblefield stripped Nick Arbuckle before Beverette made a nice move to scoop the ball off the turf.

7 – Week 10 – Tyrice Beverette’s fumble returned for a touchdown against Saskatchewan:

Beverette is one of two players to have multiple defensive touchdowns for the Alouettes in 2023. Defensive back Wes Sutton knocked the ball out of Riders quarterback Jake Dolegala’s hands before Beverette picked up and returned it for a touchdown. That score helped the Als take a 38-6 lead in the fourth quarter.

Fun fact: Both of Beverette’s touchdowns were scored into the East end zone of Percival Molson Stadium.

6 – Week 3 – Wes Sutton interception returned for a touchdown:

The first defensive touchdown of the year belongs to Sutton, when he intercepted Matthew Shiltz at Tim Horton’s Field in late June. That interception also helped the Als clinch their first road victory of the season, as it gave them a 35-12 advantage with under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

5 – Week 12 – Tyrell Richards interception for a touchdown:

The Alouettes didn’t end up getting a win in Winnipeg in August, but they started the game with a huge play. Richards managed to step in front of a Zach Collaros throw on the Bombers’ first offensive drive of the night. He returned the interception all the way into the end zone to give the Als a 7-0 lead at the time. Unfortunately for Richards, he also got injured at the end of that game and he hasn’t played since, but he flashed his big-play ability.

4 – Week 19 – Mustafa Johnson fumble recovery vs Edmonton:

Defensive tackles rarely get recognized when they’re playing well, which is why it was nice for Johnson to get some credit. He’s put together an unbelievable season, and his touchdown helped the Alouettes overcome a 21-3 deficit in Edmonton. Give rookie Lwal Uguak credit for creating the fumble.

3 – Week 12 – Dequoy interception vs Bombers:

This was a shocker. The Alouettes were trailing as halftime neared, but Dequoy gave the team the lead with his second interception of the game. As someone who was at IG Field that day, I can attest to the fact that the home crowd was stunned at that point in time. The Als picked off Collaros three times that day (Dequoy twice, Richards once).

2 – Week 8 – Kabion Ento interception vs Calgary:

Not only was this Ento’s first career touchdown, but it was also the only major of the game, and it proved to be the difference in a win over Calgary. The 27-year-old started the year on the practice roster but managed to get into the starting lineup thanks to injuries in the secondary. This was the biggest moment of the Ento’s season!

1 – Week 17 – Dequoy touchdown vs Redblacks:

This is the big one! Dequoy made an impact play at an important time of the game, again. His 108-yard interception return for a touchdown was the second-longest in franchise history. Only Dickie Harris, who returned an interception 118 yards for a touchdown against Ottawa in 1972, had a longer return in franchise history.

The play came at a critical time, too, as it was third-and-two from inside Montreal’s 10-yard line. The Redblacks could’ve made it a one-possession game with a touchdown. So, the importance of the play, combined with the fact that it was one of the longest defensive touchdowns in franchise history, makes it the number one play on this list.