In a display of sheer dominance, the Montreal Alouettes triumphed over the Ottawa Redblacks with a decisive 34-13 victory on Friday night. This win not only reaffirms Montreal’s position at the pinnacle of the Eastern division with a record of 7-1 but also marks a disheartening start for Ottawa, which now stands at 0-7—the worst in the franchise’s history.
A Stellar Performance by Davis Alexander
Quarterback Davis Alexander put on a remarkable show, completing 22 of 30 passes for an impressive 420 yards along with three touchdowns. His performance exemplified the Alouettes’ offensive prowess, while Ottawa’s Jake Maier struggled to keep pace, finishing with 34 completions on 41 attempts for 311 yards and one interception. The inability to convert in critical moments in the red zone proved to be Ottawa’s downfall, with the team managing just one touchdown from five attempts, compared to Montreal’s flawless 100% conversion rate.
The Alouettes jumped ahead right from the outset, scoring on their first two drives. Alexander connected with Cole Spieker for a six-yard touchdown on their initial possession, followed by a swift four-play drive capped off by a three-yard run from Travis Theis for a second touchdown.
Ottawa’s Struggles in the Red Zone
The Redblacks had an opportunity to respond early, reaching the red zone on their opening drive but ultimately settling for a 13-yard field goal. A roughing-the-passer penalty against Montreal’s Najee Murray late in the first quarter gave Ottawa a glimmer of hope as they moved to the one-yard line. After being initially halted, Daniel Adeboboye managed to score, narrowing the Alouettes’ lead to 14-10 as the second quarter began.
However, Montreal quickly responded, with Alexander once again finding Spieker, this time with an 11-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 21-10. A subsequent Montreal penalty thwarted another potential touchdown, forcing the team to settle for a 35-yard field goal instead.
Despite another push into the red zone late in the second quarter, Ottawa was only able to add another 14-yard field goal, trailing 24-13 as the teams headed into halftime.
Missed Opportunities and Defensive Plays
As the second half commenced, Ottawa attempted to recover, gambling on a third-and-three play that initially appeared to pay off when Justin Hardy advanced to the Alouettes’ two-yard line. Unfortunately, Maier was sacked, and after failing to connect on the next two plays, Ottawa’s drive ended with an interception thrown by Maier to Joshua Archibald.
Montreal capitalised on this momentum, as Tyler Snead caught a pass and dashed for a 19-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, bringing the score to 31-13. Jose Maltos Diaz sealed the game with a 42-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter, solidifying the Alouettes’ lead.
Looking Ahead
The Alouettes will host the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, August 8, with hopes of extending their winning streak. The Redblacks, on the other hand, will be visiting the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, August 7, searching for their first victory of the season.
Why it Matters
This commanding win for the Alouettes not only strengthens their position at the top of the Eastern standings but also highlights the stark contrast in fortunes between the two teams. Montreal’s offensive efficiency and Ottawa’s struggles in crucial moments reflect broader narratives in the Canadian Football League this season. As the Alouettes continue to build on their success, the pressure mounts on the Redblacks to turn their season around and find a path to redemption.
