The Montreal Alouettes defense delivered a dominant performance against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, shutting down veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and securing a 33-16 victory for their second consecutive win. The Alouettes defense has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the season, and this game was no exception. They forced two interceptions from Mitchell, who had led the Tiger-Cats to consecutive wins, including a five-touchdown performance against the Edmonton Elks just last Sunday.
At his first start in the CFL, quarterback Davis Alexander wasn't as dazzling as he was during his outing against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Thursday, but he delivered when it mattered most. Alexander benefitted from the support of Charleston Rambo, who caught four passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Tyson Philpot added 82 yards on five receptions.
Caleb Evans, on a one-yard sneak, David Dallaire, on a pass from Evans, and running back Walter Fletcher scored the Alouettes' other touchdowns. The Alouettes, who recorded their second consecutive win, were boosted by two field goals and three converts by Jose Maltos.
The Alouettes secured their seventh straight victory on the road, equaling their franchise record set in 2002-2003. Tim White scored the only offensive touchdown for the Tiger-Cats with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Kenneth George Jr. scored the Tiger-Cats' other touchdown on an interception return.
Mitchell Disconcerted
Since the start of the season, the Alouettes defense has often been seen shutting the door on their opponents, especially in crucial moments. That's exactly what they did in the first half, from start to finish.
The Alouettes' defense dominated so much that during their first six offensive series in the first half, the Tiger-Cats lost possession on a third down attempt, had to punt four times, and were victimized by a Bryce Cosby interception following a very poor read of the Alouettes' defensive coverage by the Tiger-Cats veteran quarterback.
On the Tiger-Cats' seventh offensive series, Mitchell took a knee twice to end the first half.
Cosby's interception led to a 32-yard field goal by Maltos, giving the Alouettes a 10-7 lead with 15 seconds left in the half.
For his part, Alexander completed 10 of his 13 passes in the first half, but he was also the victim of an interception that George Jr. returned all the way into the end zone, on an 18-yard return, at the start of the second quarter.
This play gave the Tiger-Cats a 7-0 lead.
Two series later, Alexander had his best moments of the half. He orchestrated a six-play, 80-yard offensive series, all in less than three minutes, which helped the Alouettes tie the score.
Alexander first completed passes of 19 yards to Philpot and to Reggie White Jr. Then, he threw an accurate pass, between two defenders, into the hands of Rambo for a 24-yard gain directly into the end zone.
After conceding a single point on a 64-yard punt by Nik Constantinou early in the third quarter, the Alouettes immediately responded with their second touchdown of the game to build a 17-8 cushion.
Two key plays led to that touchdown: a 26-yard run by Fletcher, followed by a 39-yard pass to Rambo, at the one-yard line of the Tiger-Cats.
Evans then came in at quarterback and snuck behind the right side of his offensive line and into the end zone, a play to which Maltos added his second convert of the game.
Evans delivered the final nail in the coffin of the Tiger-Cats with about six minutes left in the fourth quarter by throwing a 39-yard touchdown pass to Dallaire, immediately after taking over from Alexander, who was injured after being roughed up by Casey Sayles.
Alexander returned to the game.
