In a commanding display of football, the Montreal Alouettes triumphed over the Ottawa Redblacks with a decisive 34-13 victory last Friday night. This win not only solidified the Alouettes’ position as the leaders of the East but also marked a dismal start for the Redblacks, who now find themselves winless at 0-7, the worst opening to a season in the franchise’s history.
Alouettes Shine with Offensive Prowess
Quarterback Davis Alexander put on a stellar performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for an impressive 420 yards, including three touchdown throws. In stark contrast, Ottawa’s Jake Maier, despite a respectable completion rate of 34 out of 41 attempts for 311 yards, struggled to make an impact in crucial moments, particularly in the red zone. The Redblacks managed to convert only one of their five opportunities inside the 20-yard line, while the Alouettes were flawless, capitalising on all four of their chances.
From the outset, the Alouettes established control of the game. They scored on their first two possessions—Alexander connected with Cole Spieker for a six-yard touchdown pass before Travis Theis rushed for a three-yard touchdown, putting Montreal ahead 14-3 early in the contest.
Red Zone Woes for Ottawa
The Redblacks, despite showing promise on their initial drive, were forced to settle for a 13-yard field goal after reaching the red zone. Ottawa’s hopes were briefly revived in the first quarter when a roughing-the-passer penalty against Najee Murray allowed them to advance to Montreal’s one-yard line. However, after being thwarted on their first attempt, running back Daniel Adeboboye managed to score on the opening play of the second quarter, narrowing the Alouettes’ lead to 14-10.
Yet, the Alouettes quickly responded, with Alexander again finding Spieker, this time for an 11-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 21-10. Although a holding penalty nullified another potential touchdown for Montreal, they still increased their advantage with a 35-yard field goal.
Missed Opportunities Haunt the Redblacks
Despite their struggles, Ottawa returned to the red zone late in the second quarter but could only muster another field goal, trailing 24-13 at halftime. In a desperate bid to close the gap, the Redblacks opted to gamble on a third-and-three situation early in the second half. Justin Hardy’s efforts got them to the two-yard line, but a sack on Maier followed by a failed pass attempt led to an interception by Joshua Archibald, dashing their hopes for a comeback.
The Alouettes then pulled further ahead with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Snead late in the third quarter. Jose Maltos Diaz capped the scoring with a 42-yard field goal, sealing the win for Montreal.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Alouettes will host the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, August 8, while the Redblacks are set to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, August 7.
Why it Matters
This victory not only reinforces the Alouettes’ dominance in the Eastern Division but also raises significant concerns for the Redblacks as they seek to reverse their fortunes. With their current losing streak, Ottawa must address its red zone inefficiencies and find solutions to reignite their offensive capabilities. For Montreal, this win is a testament to their strong team cohesion and potential as they aim for a deeper playoff run. As the season progresses, both teams will need to adapt and evolve to secure their respective futures in the league.
