OTTAWA – Aaron Lavarias and Chip Cox teamed up for an 85-yard fumble return touchdown in the second quarter, as the Montreal Alouettes earned a 15-7 win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS on on Friday night at Ottawa’s TD Place.
The game-changing defensive play was Montreal’s only touchdown of the game, but it was enough to lead the Alouettes to their fourth win in five games and sole possession of first place in the East Division.
The game was scoreless while the REDBLACKS threatened in the second quarter, when Bear Woods got to Burris and forced the fumble. Lavarias scooped it up and ran untouched downfield, quickly handing it over to Cox to take it the rest of the way for the long score.
Jonathan Williams answered near the end of the first half with his first touchdown as a member of the REDBLACKS, but the Alouette defence pitched a second-half shutout en-route to a pivotal divisional win.
Jonathan Crompton threw two interceptions and was held to just 181 passing yards on 14-of-29 passing, while S.J. Green had a game-high 132 receiving yards on eight catches for the Montreal offence. Burris meanwhile faced heavy pressure all night, and was held by a stingy Montreal defence to 253 yards on 25-32 passing.
The REDBLACKS held the early edge in momentum after Jasper Simmons jumped in front of a Crompton pass for the interception and change of possession.
Some elusive running by Burris led the offence to the goal line, but after Montreal penalties led to multiple opportunities for the REDBLACKS to take a 7-0 lead, running back Jeremiah Johnson was met by a wall of Alouettes on third and a yard to keep the game scoreless.
Pinned back near the Montreal goal line, Crompton looked to open the floodgates with the deep ball but was picked off for the second time this game and seventh time this season, setting up the REDBLACKS once again in prime scoring position.
But the stout defensive play continued, as Burris was sacked on first down while the ball was knocked loose, only to be recovered by Lavarias and handed off to Cox for an 85-yard fumble return touchdown.
After a scoreless first quarter, the defensive score was all that separated the two teams as the Alouettes took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.
A sluggish start plagued Crompton and the Als’ offence out of the gate, but midway through the quarter the young pivot was able to take advantage of his team’s momentum. Crompton, making his fourth start of the season with Montreal, took off downfield and eluded defenders for a big gain inside the 10-yard-line.
But the Ottawa defence stood up as it had all first half, forcing a 14-yard field goal by Sean Whyte, his 11th straight successful three-pointer to extend Montreal’s lead to 10-0.
With time running out in the first half, the REDBLACKS needed to spark a change in momentum change, and stepping to the plate was their veteran quarterback. Burris completed passes for first downs to Marcus Henry, Scott MacDonnell, and Carlton Mitchell, then facing second-and-21 off a penalty connected with MacDonnell for a 20-yard pickup.
Burris converted the third down on a leap over the pile, before Williams burst through a seam for a 23-yard touchdown run to cut Ottawa’s deficit to 10-7 heading into the half. The run capped off a nine-play scoring drive that started at the REDBLACKS’ 29, and it marked Williams’ first touchdown as a REDBLACK after Johnson was forced to exit the game with an injury.
The defensive battle continued well into the fourth, as Whyte’s short field goal broke a scoreless stretch midway through the quarter to extend the Alouettes’ lead to 15-7. The defences settled back in to start the second half, with neither offence entering the red zone for the duration of the third quarter. A pair of singles pushed Montreal’s lead to 12-7 heading into the fourth quarter, leaving the REDBLACKS in search of their first win of the season when trailing after three.
Ottawa threatened late, and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against the Alouettes moved Ottawa closer — but not without a cost. Burris was hurt on the play and headed to the sidelines, leaving Danny O’Brien to command the REDBLACKS offence.
The rookie quarterback, just 24 years old, led a solid drive into Montreal territory, however it was again cut short when the REDBLACKS were stuffed on a shotgun running play on third and a yard.
Ottawa’s defence continued to stand on its head as it had all night, forcing a quick two-and-out and getting the offence the ballback with over a minute left. Burris meanwhile recovered enough to get back on the field, and began leading the REDBLACKS on a last-ditch effort to tie the game.
Burris connected to Wallace Miles for a big first down, and the speedy receiver paid the price after taking a big hit that forced him out of the game. But like the clock, the REDBLACKS kept ticking as Burris scrambled and picked up a first down with his legs.
A completion to Matt Carter gave the REDBLACKS the ball near the 20 with seven seconds left, before another completion to Patrick Lavoie with just a couple of seconds left gave Ottawa one final play. Then, though, Burris corralled a low snap from the centre, but was quickly smothered by the Alouette defence.
The sack marked a fitting end to a game that both defences dominated, as the Alouettes delivered with a key road win to take a temporary lead in the East Division. Idle Toronto sits a game back, while the Ticats also sit a game back heading into their matchup on Saturday night with Winnipeg.
The REDBLACKS look to regroup before next Friday night’s home game against the Bombers, while the Alouettes will enjoy the victory during a week off.
