Alouettes commit 4 turnovers in disheartening loss to Redblacks

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One step ahead and two steps again. That summarizes the Alouettes’ season.

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Driving a season-high two-game successful streak and coming off a bye week within the schedule, the Als dedicated 4 turnovers and misplaced 38-24 to the Ottawa Redblacks Friday night time earlier than 15,303 Molson Stadium spectators.

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The guests entered the sport in final place within the East Division, however have now gained two straight, enhancing their report to 3-8 and transferring right into a third-place tie with Hamilton. The Als might have moved right into a first-place tie with Toronto had they gained. As an alternative, their report dropped to 4-7, together with 2-3 at house.

Ottawa scored three touchdowns. Nick Arbuckle handed to Darvin Adams, whereas Davon Coleman recovered a Trevor Harris fumble, returning it seven yards. Backup quarterback Caleb Evans scored late on a brief run, whereas Lewis Ward added 5 subject targets.

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Harris handed eight yards to Eugene Lewis early within the second quarter earlier than connecting with Jake Wieneke late within the fourth. David Côté kicked three subject targets.

Ward’s 19-yard subject objective opened the scoring at 9:07 of the primary quarter, though the Redblacks undoubtedly believed they’d produce a landing following passes of 34 yards to Jaelon Acklin and an 18-yard run by Arbuckle.

The Als tied the rating on Côté’s 33-yard subject objective at 13:06 of the interval.

Montreal then produced a powerful 102-yard drive, requiring solely 5 performs. Walter Fletcher ran twice, gaining 29 yards, earlier than Canadian tailback Jeshrun Antwi gained 27 on a sweep. Following a 38-yard go to rookie Tyson Philpot, Harris linked with Lewis for an eight-yard play-action scored at 2:34 of the second quarter.

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Issues began to unravel for Montreal when Harris was hit and fumbled following a success by Kone Onyeka. The ball was recovered by Coleman, who returned it seven yards for the landing at 7:22, tying the rating 10-10.

On the Als’ subsequent possession, Harris overthrew Reggie White Jr. The ball was intercepted by Abdul Kanneh, however the turnover didn’t come again to hang-out Montreal.

Following Richie Leone’s 86-yard punt single, the Redblacks produced a six-play, 105-yard drive on the finish of the half. The sequence included a 64-yard pass-and-run play to Acklin, who beat cornerback Kenneth Durden. And it culminated within the three-yard landing go to Adams, who beat nook Mike Jones. The rating got here with 63 seconds remaining and offered Ottawa with an 18-10 lead on the intermission.

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Montreal was held to 10 first downs within the opening half together with 183 internet yards. Arbuckle picked the defence aside over the opening half-hour, finishing 13 of 19 for 187 yards. His favorite goal, Acklin, caught 5 passes for 114 yards.

The groups traded subject targets within the third quarter. Following a go that deflected off Lewis — however was behind him and resulted in an interception — Ward hit a 14-yard chip-shot at 3:44.

Côté’s 44 yarder at 6:07 made it 21-13 earlier than Ward made the rating 24-13 with a 32 yarder at 9:29. Somewhat than gamble on third-and-two, Côté got here on and kicked a 26-yard subject objective at 13:58, making the rating 24-16 heading into the ultimate quarter.

Leone’s 52-yard single within the opening minute made it a two-possession deficit. Any hopes of an Als comeback had been scuttled after Antwi fumbled in Ottawa territory. That turnover ultimately resulted in Ward’s 15-yard subject objective at 4:54, growing the Redblacks’ result in 28-16.

Montreal’s four-game homestand continues subsequent Friday night time, in opposition to the highly effective B.C. Lions. The sport marks the return of former beginning quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., traded final Wednesday for a first-round draft selection.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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