The Ottawa Rouge et Noir once again proved to be a formidable opponent for the Montreal Alouettes. But they turned the tide in the second half and took advantage of the Dominique Davis touchdown with less than three minutes left in the game to save themselves with a 34-30 victory on Friday.
Jamal Davis confirmed the Alouettes’ victory by joining Nick Arbuckle on a third down and 5 with about forty seconds to play. Arbuckle fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Davis.
The Alouettes (8-8) thus secure a playoff game at home, while the Rouge et Noir (4-12) are officially excluded from the CFL playoffs. This victory also allows the Alouettes to remain in the race for first place in the East, currently held by the Toronto Argonauts (9-6), who face the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.
“It’s a victory going to us to build character. I keep saying that we want to bring home a championship and we want to continue to build a whole. We’re getting a little closer to a playoff game at home,” Davis said.
“We executed the game plan well in the second half, so congratulations to the defence. That’s really what we did, not let ourselves be defeated when we exchanged momemtum throughout the match. It was just about keeping our attitude and I’m glad we won the game. »
In addition to Davis, Adarius Pickett, on a fumble return recovered from 15 yards, Walter Fletcher, on a superb 40-yard pass from Trevor Harrisas well as William Stanback, with his first of the seasonscored the other touchdowns for the winners, who will play their last games of the 2022 calendar against the Argos.
David Côté completed the scoring with two field goals, on 23 and 45 yards.
Siaosi Mariner — on his first career reception —, Tevaun Smith and Caleb Evans scored the locals’ touchdowns. Lewis Ward had field goals for 41, 44 and 10 yards.
The Alouettes had however allowed 207 yards to the Rouge et Noir in the first quarter and had returned to their locker room with a delay of 24-17. However, he prevailed 17-6 in the second half to qualify for a second straight season in the Ambrosie Tour playoffs.
The Alouettes’ defense allowed only 174 yards in the last three quarters.
“It was a win for the whole team, and maybe the biggest team win of the year,” Harris said. The defence, the special teams, the attack, we were all together, and that’s what counts. »
Unlike last year, when they visited the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern semi-finals, the Alouettes are guaranteed to host a playoff game at home. This encounter could be the Eastern final, if Danny Maciocia’s side sweep the home-and-away series against the Argos.
Harris completed 19 of 27 passes (70.4%) for 241 yards and a touchdown. The Alouettes’ running game, after only eight yards in the first half, was much more successful in the second half, with 72 yards and two touchdowns.
After only scoring three points in the second half in its last two games, the Alouettes’ offense rebounded on Friday, dominating 17-6 in the last two quarters.
The first of two duels against the Argonauts will be played next Saturday at the Percival-Molson stadium.
A place in the playoffs obtained hard
The Alouettes will be playoffs!
Montreal responds with a defensive touchdown
Skillful touchdown scored by Walter Fletcher
A first touchdown for Stanback
Davis scores his 12th touchdown of the season