Alouettes snag huge win in Toronto on Friday
The Montreal Alouettes won their second straight game on Friday night, as they took down the Toronto Argonauts, 21-19, at BMO Field on Friday night. This victory allowed the Alouettes to sweep the season series (3-0-0) over the Argos. It also gives them a four-point advantage in the battle for second in the East Division.
How did the Als get it done on Friday night? Let’s take a look.
Sutton’s big takeaway
The Alouettes defence deserves a lot of credit for the win. Not only did they limit the Argos to one touchdown on Friday night, but they also came up with the game-clinching play when Wesley Sutton intercepted Jarret Doege with less than 30 seconds remaining.
“Previously, it was third-and-four, and they threw an out[route]. I was there, but he caught it, so I was frustrated. They stopped our offence, and coach Thrope told us we had to win in man-coverage. I looked at him like: ‘really?’ (laughs). It actually worked out. I just read the route, slipped underneath him, I looked back, and the ball was right there. It’s something that happened so fast. Next thing I know, I’m on the ground and the ball is in my hands.”
Sutton now has interceptions in back-to-back weeks, as he came up with a key takeaway in last week’s win over the Riders too.
The Argos’ first first down of the second half that didn’t come from a penalty, came with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
They also registered three quarterback sacks and plenty of pressure all night.
Spectacular grabs
Give Austin Mack and Tyler Snead credit because they both came up with incredible catches against the Argos secondary.
Mack made a huge diving play on second-and-10 in the third quarter when he made a diving catch in Argos territory for a 29-yard gain. A few plays later, the Als ended up kicking the go-ahead field goal to take a 10-9 advantage.
“You know what’s crazy? We’ve been practicing that all week,” Mack said after the game. “It was a high corner route, but we finally got the look [from the defence]…and [McLeod Bethel-Thompson] threw me a great ball. He just laid it out and, you know me, I had to go make a play.”
Mack also came up with a clutch reception on the two-point conversion following a fourth quarter touchdown.
Snead’s reception up the left sideline came off another great throw by Bethel-Thompson. Not only did Snead haul in the pass, he also drew a flag for pass interference on the play. Five plays letter, Bethel-Thompson and Snead connected on a 15-yard touchdown to extend the Als’ lead to nine.
Short kick recoveries
The Alouettes made two huge plays on special teams in this game, too. Canadian defensive end Josh Archibald tapped the ball out of bounds on a surprise onside kick by the Argos. The play was awfully close, but Archibald got a hand on the ball right before it bounced on the white line.
On a deeper “trick” kick, Charleston Rambo was able to fall on the ball to keep possession for the Alouettes.
What’s next?
The Alouettes will host the Calgary Stampeders, who gave up 52 points in a loss to the B.C. Lions at home on Friday night. The two teams will play at Percival Molson Stadium on Friday night.
