Alouettes beat exhausted Bombers to stay in pursuit of second place

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It was hardly a masterpiece, but the Alouettes did what was necessary against Winnipeg. Now, Montreal could still finish second in the East Division and host a playoff game.

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The Als defeated the Blue Bombers 28-14 on Saturday afternoon at Molson Stadium before 12,605 spectators. Not only did Montreal stop its two-game losing streak, it gave Winnipeg its first loss in 10 games.

But the visitors left several starters at home, including quarterback Zach Collaros, the league’s passing leader. He was replaced by Sean McGuire, who was making his first professional start, and unsurprisingly, he struggled while being intercepted four times, three in the fourth quarter.

Trevor Harris passed Eugene Lewis for a pair of touchdowns covering 14 and 10 yards. Reggie White Jr. scored a third touchdown on an eight-yard pass play, while David Côté added field goals covering 28 and 11 yards.

Harris completed 18 of 25 passes for a modest 136 yards.

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The Alouettes improved to 7-6 and, while remaining third in the East Division, they could beat Hamilton, also 7-6. Montreal must defeat Ottawa at home on Friday night in their final regular season game, while the Tiger-Cats must lose at home to Saskatchewan on Saturday afternoon.

Brady Oliveira, on a four-yard run, and Darvin Adams, on a 30-yard pass from McGuire, scored Winnipeg’s touchdowns. The Bombers (11-2) have already secured first place in the West Division.

The game couldn’t have started more disastrously for the Alouettes. The kickoff was lost by Adarius Pickett and recovered by Nick Hollett at Montreal 19.

From there, Oliveira charged the ball on three successive plays, the latter for a four-yard touchdown before the game was two minutes out. The bombers failed to convert.

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Montreal failed to generate a first down on its opening possession and Harris was sacked on the second down.

The teams continued to fight offensively before Alouettes defensive back Najee Murray intercepted a pass destined for Nic Demski at the Bombers’ 15.

After a short run on William Stanback’s first down, Harris connected with Lewis for the touchdown on the left side of the end zone at 1:09 p.m.

Winnipeg tied the score on a 48-yard punt single by Marc Liegghio early in the second quarter.

But then Harris led the Als on a 15-play, 75-yard drive that consumed nearly 10 minutes. It was a methodical series that consisted of many short-distance plays led by rookie backup quarterback Shea Patterson. Stanback gained nine yards on one play, while Harris connected with Jake Wieneke for a 16-yard gain on another.

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Following a five-yard run from Stanback, Harris connected with Lewis for his second touchdown of the game, this one on the right sideline in the end zone, at 11:04, increasing Montreal’s lead to 14-7.

Lewis’s superb road running skills were never more apparent than on both touchdowns.

Stanback ripped off a 24-yard gain later in the fourth, moving the ball to Winnipeg’s 44th. But the march stalled after Harris was caught a second time on a second try.

Both teams continued to operate in neutral after the halftime break. The only points produced in the third quarter was Côté’s field goal at 11:15. The race started at 48 for the Alouettes thanks to a 21-yard punt return from Martese Jackson.

Shaquille Cooper missed a punt early in the fourth period that was recovered by Montreal safety Ty Cranston at Winnipeg 46.

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The Als executed a running back option on the first down: Lewis, a former high school quarterback, connected with Quan Bray for a 35-yard gain. Two plays later, Harris found White in the back of the end zone for a touchdown at 3:14 and an insurmountable 24-7 lead.

The Bombers had outscored their opponents 116-6 in the fourth quarter this season.

McGuire hit quickly after White’s touchdown, connecting with Adams for a 30-yard touchdown at 4:27, leading the visitors to 10 points.

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