The Montreal Alouettes second half surge helps them clinch a playoff spot and a home playoff game with a 34-30 win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
Trevor Harris lead the Alouettes’ offence with 241 yards on 19 of 27 passing and a touchdown.
Calgary product Tyson Philpot lead the team in receiving with 76 yards while William Stanback and Walter Fletcher also added majors.
Nick Arbuckle lead Ottawa throwing for 271 yards on 28 of 36 passing and two touchdowns. Justin Hardy had a game high 93 yards receiving on eight receptions and former Ottawa Gee-Gee Jackson Bennett lead the team in rushing with 55 yards.
The win keeps Montreal in the hunt for first place in the East Division with two weeks left in the regular season.
» Box Score: REDBLACKS, Als by the numbers
» Through the Lens: Montreal at Ottawa
»Watch: REDBLACKS trick play leads to early score
Ottawa was quick to open the scoring after they connected on a double pass to Shaquille Johnson before Arbuckle was able to spot Siaosi Mariner for his first career catch and the early major.
Montreal would be quick to respond with a deep shot of their own as Harris was able to find Philpot on a double-move for 26 yards. Their drive came up empty however after Lorenzo Mauldin IV registered his league leading 15th sack, pushing the Alouettes out of field goal range.
Ardarius Pickett and the Als defence capitalized on the good field position and scored off a 16-yard scoop and score after Thomas Costigan punched the ball out of Arbuckle’s grasp.
On the first play of the second quarter, Caleb Evans pushed across the goal line for his 13th rushing touchdown of the season, extending the REDBLACKS’ lead.
Walter Fletcher helped the Alouettes cut into the deficit as he took a short pass from Harris down the sideline for a 40-yard score.
Before the end of the first half, Lewis Ward would hit a 41-yard attempt giving the REDBLACKS a 24-17 lead.
Montreal opened the scoring in the second half, as David Cote hit a 45-yard field goal, his second of the night. The Als would take the lead late in the third as William Stanback would find the endzone on a three-yard rush.
After the Ottawa defence stuffed the Alouettes offence on third and short, Ward came on for his third field goal of the night to retake the lead for the REDBLACKS.
Montreal would seize the opportunity to take control of the game after a Fletcher punt return put the Als deep in REDBLACK territory as Dominique Davis would plunge in for the touchdown.
The last minute attempt by Ottawa was halted by Jamal Davis as he strip sacked Arbuckle ending the game.
Next up for the REDBLACKS, they will travel to Hamilton for a match against the Tiger-Cats while the Alouettes will host the Toronto Argonauts in a game that may determine the top seed in the East Division.