While the perfect game doesn’t exist in football, the Als came dangerously close to playing one Thursday night.
There are few superlatives left to characterize the Alouettes’ defence, suffocating and punishing at times.
If Montreal’s offence ever catches up and finds its stride, this team might become virtually unbeatable.
While the perfect game doesn’t exist in football, the Als came dangerously close to playing one Thursday night, obliterating the Ottawa Redblacks, 47-21, at Molson Stadium in the team’s regular-season home-opener. Montreal improved to 3-0, becoming the first CFL team to record three victories this season. It also has now won 11 consecutive games, including playoffs, stretching back to Sept. 15.
Montreal hasn’t erupted for this many points since defeating the Redblacks 51-29 on Sept. 3, 2021. It also marks the first time since 2011 the Als have launched their season with a 3-0 record.
The Als scored touchdowns on their opening two possessions, taking a commanding 14-0 lead before five minutes had elapsed. It was the second consecutive game in which Montreal scored a touchdown on its first series and rekindled memories of the good old days, when Anthony Calvillo was the team’s quarterback and the club went to eight championship games over an 11-year period.
There’s nothing like putting the opposition in an early tenuous position.
“We didn’t want to come out flat after our banner opening. This team is jelling a lot better. Last year at this time, we were just trying to get to know each other’s names. Now we can focus more on the football and the relationships. That’s why you’re seeing such a fast start. I’m really proud of how efficient our offence has been. We’ve been very efficient scoring touchdowns in the red zone as opposed to last year, when we were kicking more field goals.”
“I’m just doing my job,” Philpot said. “The offensive line protected well. I can see now that Cody trusts me. Any time there’s a one-on-one ball, he’s going to take that shot.
“This team’s just elevating. We’re feeding off where we were last year. We’re confident every time we step on that field and believe we can beat anyone.”
This was the fourth time in Fajardo’s career he has thrown three touchdowns in a game.
Backup quarterback Caleb Evans scored on a one-yard run, while David Côté added four field goals. The Als produced 26 first downs and 486 yards’ net offence.
Defensively, despite a third-quarter letdown — inevitable, considering their 29-point halftime lead — the Als continued making one play after another.
Linebacker Tyrice Beverette had a team-leading six tackles, another for a loss, one of Montreal’s three quarterback sacks, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered another. It was a performance for the ages.
“I usually don’t like to talk about my individual accolades, but tonight was a fun one,” Beverette said. “We know we’ve got a great defence here. If we’re on our A-game, I don’t think nobody can deal with us. Overall we played a great team defence.”
Beverette was far from alone.
Middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey forced a fumble and recovered one. But it was his second half hit administered against Jaelon Acklin that spoke volumes about the punishing approach the Als’ defence brings to the field. This is a defence that attacks in waves and swarms to the ball.
“We have a saying: rally, rally,” Sankey said. “When an offence throws the ball down low on us, they have to pay the price. That’s the staple of our defence. We pride ourselves on turnovers and making plays, not just tackles. We want to make plays on the ball. We expect to get turnovers.
“I don’t think we need to say much. If they just turn on the film it speaks for itself.”
The Als will attempt to continue this incredible winning streak next Friday, at Toronto.