Als’ defence takes over, holds Lions to at least one landing in spectacular victory

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One week after permitting 38 factors towards Ottawa, the Alouettes’ defence got here to play.

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Montreal mounted a 21-3 halftime lead towards the B.C. Lions earlier than its offence fully slowed down. Nonetheless the Als prevailed, defeating the Lions 31-10 Friday night time earlier than solely 15,511 Molson Stadium spectators, due to a formidable efficiency by their defence, which produced 5 turnovers.

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The sport marked the homecoming of former Als beginning quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., just lately traded for a first-round draft selection in 2023. Adams didn’t begin, however changed Antonio Pipkin — one other former Alouette — late within the first quarter. He was largely ineffective following one week of observe, and accomplished solely one among three passes.

Pipkin performed all the second half.

Trevor Harris handed to Eugene Lewis for one Montreal landing, whereas his backup, Dominique Davis, additionally scored on a brief run. New cornerback Nafees Lyon returned a Pipkin interception 52 yards for a serious practically 9 minutes into the fourth quarter, whereas David Côté added three area targets.

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Montreal improved to 5-7 with the victory, solidifying its maintain on second place within the East Division.

Pipkin scored on a brief run for the Lions’ solely landing. Sean Whyte added a area aim.

B.C. suffered its first street defeat in 5 video games and now sits at 8-3.

The Lions took the opening kickoff and marched well downfield, beginning with Pipkin’s 16-yard run. He additionally handed 11 yards to Bryan Burnham, whereas tailback James Butler ran for an 11-yard acquire.

However the drive ultimately stalled and the guests settled for Whyte’s 36-yard area aim to open the scoring at 5:03.

Pipkin was sacked in the long run zone by defensive-tackle Mustafa Johnson for a security at 7:31 earlier than a 51-yard punt return by Chandler Worthy, who reversed the sphere, put the Als in scoring place on the Lions’ 34.

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However, with the ball on the B.C. 13, the Als tried a trick play. On a reverse from Jeshrun Antwi to Lewis. Lewis, a former quarterback, tried the choice move to Davis, however the move was badly underthrown and intercepted by Garry Peters.

However after the Lions did not generate a primary down and their punt was tipped by Zach Lindley, Montreal scrimmaged from the B.C. 25. Three performs later, Davis scored on a two-yard run at 13:51. The Als unsuccessfully tried a two-point convert however nonetheless led, 8-3.

Adams was inserted on the following sequence and was promptly sacked by Nick Usher on his first play.

Montreal produced a formidable drive to start out the following quarter, due to passes of twenty-two yards to Lewis, 18 to Reggie White Jr. and 10 to seldom-used Jake Wieneke.

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However the drive stalled on the Lions’ 4, forcing the Als to accept Côté’s 13-yard area aim at 6:21.

Following a fumble restoration by Als linebacker Tyrice Beverette, Montreal took over on the B.C. 49. Harris methodically moved the workforce downfield, capped by his 12-yard landing move to Lewis at 10:19, rising Montreal’s result in 18-3.

The Lions turned the ball over on downs following a faked punt — Stefan Flintoft’s move falling wanting shifting the chains — and that ultimately led to Côté’s 21-yard area aim with 12 seconds remaining within the first half.

However once more, the Als left potential factors on the sphere after they failed to search out the tip zone from the Lions’ 4.

There was no scoring within the third interval though, on a third-down gamble from the Montreal 8, Pipkin was sacked by Johnson. Late within the quarter, Harris was intercepted by Manny Rugamba.

Following a profitable third-down gamble, Pipkin began the potential comeback with a one-yard landing run at 1:35. The Lions appeared on their strategy to one other rating till a Burnham fumble was recovered by security Marc-Antoine Dequoy with barely lower than 9 minutes remaining in regulation time. Linebacker Adarius Pickett compelled the fumble.