In a commanding performance, the Montreal Alouettes secured a decisive 34-13 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night, underscoring their dominance in the East Division. With this win, the Alouettes improved their record to 7-1, while Ottawa continues to struggle, dropping to an alarming 0-7, marking the franchise’s worst start to a season.
Stellar Performance from Alexander
Quarterback Davis Alexander was the standout star of the match, completing 22 of 30 passes for an impressive 420 yards, along with three touchdown throws. His precision and poise throughout the game were instrumental in leading the Alouettes to victory. In contrast, Ottawa’s Jake Maier put in a respectable performance, throwing for 311 yards on 34 of 41 attempts but suffered a setback with one interception. The Redblacks’ inability to convert opportunities in the red zone proved detrimental, as they managed only one successful attempt out of five, while Montreal capitalised on all four of their red-zone chances.
The opening moments set the tone for the match, with the Alouettes quickly establishing their lead. On their first two drives, Alexander connected with Cole Spieker for a six-yard touchdown, followed by a swift four-play drive culminating in a three-yard rushing touchdown by Travis Theis. Ottawa, aiming to respond, could only muster a 13-yard field goal during their initial drive, leading to an early deficit.
Missed Opportunities for Ottawa
As the first quarter progressed, Ottawa had their fortunes shift when a roughing-the-passer penalty against Montreal’s Najee Murray advanced the Redblacks to the one-yard line. However, after failing to score on their first attempt, they managed to narrow the gap to 14-10 when Daniel Adeboboye found the end zone at the beginning of the second quarter.
Montreal quickly responded, with Alexander connecting again with Spieker for an 11-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-10. A subsequent holding penalty negated another potential touchdown, forcing the Alouettes to settle for a 35-yard field goal. Ottawa’s struggles continued as they entered the red zone late in the half but were again limited to a 14-yard field goal, trailing 24-13 at the break.
A Turning Point
In a bid to reclaim momentum, Ottawa gambled on a crucial third down early in the second half, inching their way down to the Alouettes’ two-yard line. Unfortunately for the Redblacks, a sack followed by an interception from Joshua Archibald dashed their hopes of closing the gap further.
Montreal capitalised on this momentum shift, with Tyler Snead scoring on a 19-yard pass late in the third quarter to increase the lead to 31-13. The Alouettes capped off their scoring with a 42-yard field goal from Jose Maltos Diaz, sealing a comprehensive victory.
Looking Ahead
The Alouettes will look to maintain their winning streak when they host the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, August 8. Meanwhile, the Redblacks face a daunting challenge as they travel to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, August 7.
Why it Matters
This match not only highlights the Alouettes’ strong position as contenders in the East Division but also underscores the pressing issues faced by the Ottawa Redblacks. With a series of disappointing performances, Ottawa must reassess their strategy to avoid further setbacks as they strive to turn their season around. As the league progresses, the ability of teams to capitalise on opportunities in high-pressure moments will prove crucial, making every game a test of resilience and strategy.
