OTTAWA — Matthew Shiltz racked up 303 total yards and two total touchdowns in the Montreal Alouettes’ 27-16 win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Jumping out to an early lead 12-0 lead, the Montreal Alouettes looked to be in charge from the opening kick. Under centre, Shiltz commanded the Als’ offence in his first start of the season throwing for 227 yards and recorded a touchdown in the first half alone.
Ottawa would not go quietly into the night as they rallied to score 10-straight points, forcing some discomfort on the visitor’s sidelines. In response, 13 second-quarter points scored by the Alouettes would see them head to the locker room up 25-13 at the end of the first half.
While Ottawa would open the third with a field goal, Montreal would add a safety late in the fourth quarter to secure their third straight win.
Caleb Evans threw for 145 yards and a trio of interceptions before Taryn Christion stepped in who would throw for 20 yards.
On defence, the hungry Alouette defensive line feasted on the REDBLACK quarterbacks, recording 10 sacks on the night.
In his first start since 2019, Shiltz looked calm, cool and collected during the Als’ first drive. He kicked it off with back-to-back intermediary completions to Jeshrun Antwi and B.J. Cunningham before a defensive pass interference penalty provided the Als with excellent field position. After Shiltz tried to find Jake Wieneke, who let the ball slip from his hands in the back left corner of the endzone, David Cote jogged onto the field for the game’s first points.
Montreal’s second drive would again be highlighted by the play of Shiltz who connected with Kaion Julien-Grant for a 55-yard reception. Inside the red zone, Schiltz would call his own number on the QB-keeper for a four-yard touchdown run.
The Als would continue to add to their lead, though this time it would come from a defensive effort. After Evans was picked off and the ball was brought back inside the five, the Als were knocking on the door.
Collecting the handoff from Shitltz, last week’s hero, Cameron Artis-Payne fumble the ball, resulting in a change of possession. With Ottawa positioned on their one-yard line and facing a long field, Anthony Coombs would be stuffed in the end zone for a two-point safety and a 12-0 Alouettes’ lead.
The first quarter would not be all Alouettes as Devonte Dedmon would provide a spark for the REDBLACKS with a 69-yard punt return. This would lead to their first three points off the foot of Lewis Ward.
Dedmon would find another 49 punt return yards after Montreal’s third straight two-and-out, setting the REDBLACKS up in Als’ territory. After an offside call on the Alouettes during a REDBLACKS field goal attempt kept the REDBLACKS’ drive alive, Evans would air it out to Kenny Stafford who hauled in the ball for a REDBLACKS’ touchdown.
Cote would stop the bleeding for the Als with his 28-yard field goal increasing their lead to 15-10.
Following a stalled-out REDBLACKS drive, Shiltz and the Als’ offence would take to the air again. This time, Shiltz’s pass intended for Wieneke would end in a 50-yard touchdown as with REDBLACK defenders draped all over him, he hauled in the contested ball.
As the skies opened up, Ottawa rallied for a late drive with the wind in their face. After collecting the ball on their own 30-yard line, a pair of completions set up a 45-yard field goal that bit into the Als’ lead before the first-half whistles blew.
In the third quarter, the weather seemed to become a factor playing against both teams as neither were able to develop any rhythm on offence. On special teams, the combination of wind and rain inhibited long punt returns saw in the first half by Deadmon who did not play in the second half.
Ottawa would find the first points of the second half after Ward flew his 43-yard attempt through the uprights, erasing Montreal’s double-digit lead to just nine points.
More of the same would play out in the fourth quarter with both teams’ defences dug in.
After the ball was popped free from the clutch of Artis-Payne by Micah Awe for his second fumble of the game, Ottawa recovered inside Montreal territory. On their first play, Evans would be picked off by Ty Cranston.
On Ottawa’s next drive, Christion would line up under centre for the REDBLACKS on their own two-yard line. Following a two-and-out, Ottawa would take a knee in the endzone, giving up the safety.
With under two minutes to play, Christion would have to be helped off the field after being injured following a sack. Evans would be forced to enter the game for the final minute.
Next up for the Alouettes will be a trip back home where they will welcome the Toronto Argonauts in for Friday Night Football at 7:30 p.m. ET. The REDBLACKS will head to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
