MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-14, snapping their nine-game winning streak and handing them their first loss since Week 3 against the Toronto Argonauts.
Sitting tied with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for second place in the East Division, the Als will have an opportunity to host a home playoff game if they handle business against the Ottawa REDBLACKS next week and the Ticats lose to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Winnipeg, on the other hand, still remains atop the league with a record of 11-2.
In his first win as an Alouette, Trevor Harris threw for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
For the Bombers, Sean McGuire threw for 149 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions in his first CFL start.
Coming off a 106-yard performance last week, William Stanback rushed for 65 yards. Brady Oliveira countered for the Bombers, racking up 27 yards and a touchdown.
Winnipeg took advantage of opportunities early as after they forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, Oliveria rushed for a four-yard touchdown on their third play.
After three-straight Montreal two-and-outs and a booming 46-yard punt put, the ball was back in McGuire’s hands. With his back to his own end zone, he was picked off by Najee Murray, giving the Als excellent field position.
Montreal took advantage of their own opportunities with Harris finding Eugene Lewis on a comeback route in the end zone to tie the game. David Cote‘s point-after-try gave the Als the lead.
McGuire’s next drive under centre featured his legs as he took off on a designed run for 16 yards as the rain began to come down. Back-to-back incompletions prompt a punt by Marc Liegghio which was declared dead in the end zone for a game-tying single.
After being held in check in the first quarter, Stanback, Shea Patterson and the Als run game began to establish some rhythm on the ground converting three third downs. Spotting the ball on the Winnipeg 32-yard line, Harris found Jake Wieneke for a gain of 15 before finding Lewis in the end zone for his second touchdown of the half and ninth of the season.
Collecting the ball with under a minute left to play before the half, the Bombers look to tie things up, but Johnny Augustine was wrapped up by the Als’ defensive line on the last play.
Montreal’s special teams provided the first big play of the second half with Martese Jackson tearing up the sideline for a 22-yard punt return. Two quick sideline strikes and a pair of QB sneaks placed the Als in Bombers’ territory. Settling for a field goal, the Als took a two-possession, 17-7 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Montreal’s punt unit recovered a fumble of their own.
On their first play of the drive, the Als opened their bag of tricks with Harris handing it off to Lewis who aired it out to Quan Bray for a 36-yard gain.
Two plays later, Harris threw his third touchdown of the game to Reggie White and the first the Bombers have allowed in the fourth quarter.
Winnipeg took no time to answer as McGuire connected with Kenny Lawler before finding Darvin Adams for a 30-yard touchdown, making it a 10-point game.
The Bombers’ next drive did not end as positive as McGuire threw his second interception of the day. This time, it was Ahmad Thomas jumping the route.
A stalled-out drive turned to points for the Alouettes as Shaquille Cooper bobbled a punt which resulted in a single, putting the Alouettes up 25-14. Chris Ackie added an interception a play later to tilt the field further in the Als’ favour.
Cote made it a 14-point lead with under two points to go with a 12-yard field goal.
On the ensuing Bombers’ drive, McGuire was picked off for a fourth time by Greg Reid.
Montreal fed Stanback the ball for the remaining minute, chewing the clock and securing the win.
Next up for the Alouettes will be a home game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS for Friday Night Football at 7:30 p.m. ET. Winnipeg will travel to Calgary to take on the Stampeders next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
