In a commanding display of football prowess, the Montreal Alouettes triumphed over the Ottawa Redblacks with a score of 34-13 on Friday night. This victory solidifies the Alouettes’ position as the foremost team in the Eastern Division, improving their record to an impressive 7-1, while the Redblacks faced yet another setback, falling to 0-7—marking their worst season start in franchise history.
Stellar Performance from Davis Alexander
Quarterback Davis Alexander delivered a standout performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for a staggering 420 yards and throwing three touchdown passes. His ability to lead the team effectively from the outset set the tone for the match. In contrast, Ottawa’s Jake Maier finished with 34 completions on 41 attempts for 311 yards and a single interception. However, Maier’s efforts were hampered by the Redblacks’ ongoing struggles to convert opportunities in the red zone, managing only one score out of five attempts.
The Alouettes immediately asserted their dominance, scoring on their first two drives. Alexander connected with Cole Spieker for a six-yard touchdown pass before Travis Theis capped a swift four-play drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown. The Redblacks could only respond with a 13-yard field goal on their initial drive, a missed opportunity that would haunt them throughout the game.
Missed Opportunities for Ottawa
The Redblacks briefly found momentum late in the first quarter when a roughing-the-passer penalty against Alouettes’ Najee Murray moved the ball to the Montreal one-yard line. However, their first attempt to score was thwarted, and it wasn’t until the second quarter that Daniel Adeboboye managed to punch in a touchdown, bringing the score to 14-10.
Despite this glimmer of hope, the Alouettes quickly regained control. Alexander threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Spieker, extending their lead to 21-10. A holding penalty on Montreal prevented Alexander from adding another touchdown, forcing the team to settle for a 35-yard field goal instead.
As the second quarter drew to a close, Ottawa returned to the red zone but again settled for a 14-yard field goal, trailing 24-13 at halftime.
Alouettes’ Commanding Second Half
Looking to make a comeback, Ottawa gambled on third down early in the second half, successfully reaching the Alouettes’ two-yard line. However, Maier was sacked, and a subsequent interception thrown by Joshua Archibald halted any momentum Ottawa hoped to build.
The Alouettes capitalised on this turn of events, with Tyler Snead scoring on a 19-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter, pushing the score to 31-13. Jose Maltos Diaz then capped the scoring with a 42-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter, solidifying Montreal’s victory.
Next Steps for Both Teams
Looking ahead, the Alouettes will host the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, August 8, while the Redblacks are set to visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, August 7.
Why it Matters
This decisive victory for the Alouettes not only reinforces their position at the top of the Eastern Division but also highlights the ongoing struggles of the Redblacks, who must address their red zone inefficiencies if they hope to turn their season around. With a growing gap between the two teams in the standings, Montreal’s continued dominance may set the tone for the remainder of the season, while Ottawa faces urgent questions about their strategy and execution moving forward.