Alouettes sit comfortably 4-0 on top of the East with gritty win over Argonauts

Montreal has now won 12 consecutive games, playoffs and Grey Cup included, and set a franchise record with a streak of nine consecutive regular-season victories.

For now, at least, the Alouettes are the best team in the CFL.

But it’s only the end of June and things in this league are not always as they appear. One season ago, the Toronto Argonauts seemed to be the CFL’s best club. But the Argos weren’t the last team standing. Indeed, not even the second-last.

Evans, inserted into the game on a third-down gamble, completely fooled the Argos’ defence, lofting a pass to Spieker, who got in behind cornerback Leonard Johnson. The score capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive.

“My coaches trusted me and my teammates trusted me,” Spieker said in a televised post-game interview from Toronto. “We have a great offence and a great defence and we’re all playing together. Whomever’s number is called that day, they’re going to step up and make the plays.

“I feel very comfortable and confident in the coaches and teammates around me.”

The Alouettes improved to 4-0 with the victory. It marks the first time since 2009 they have started the season with four consecutive wins. Montreal went on to win the Grey Cup that year.

The Als have now won 12 consecutive games, playoffs and Grey Cup included, and hasn’t lost a contest in 287 days, dating back to last Sept. 15. That includes a streak of nine consecutive regular-season games, establishing a new franchise record. The old record of eight had stood since 2002. Three of those victories this season have come on the road, given the abnormalities of the CFL schedule.

This marked the first time these teams had met since last season’s division final in which the visiting Alouettes made the Argos and quarterback Chad Kelly look bad, breezing to a 38-17 victory.

Kelly is now serving a minimum nine-game suspension for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy. His replacement, Cameron Dukes, is fashionable with his flowing long hair. But the second-year pro has a long, uphill climb before he can be considered a legitimate pivot, and the Als’ defence exploited his inexperience, continually keeping him off-balance.

Football players tackle the quarterback
Argonauts quarterback Cameron Dukes (11) gets tackled by Alouettes linebacker Darnell Sankey (1) as teammate Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (19) moves in during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Friday, June 28, 2024.Photo by Frank Gunn /The Canadian Press

Dukes completed 22 of 32 passes for a modest 199 yards and was intercepted once, by defensive-back Dionté Ruffin in the fourth quarter. Dukes was so flustered Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie mercifully replaced him with third-stringer Bryan Scott late in the fourth quarter. Scott led the Argos to their only touchdown — a 40-yard pass to Makai Polk that was followed by a meaningless two-point convert.

Dukes is a mobile quarterback, but remains an inaccurate passer. What little offensive success Toronto achieved came from tailback Ka’Deem Carey, who gained 61 yards on nine carries. But that was a far cry from the 104 yards he produced last week, against Edmonton.

The Argos lost for the first time in three games this season and saw their 11-game regular-season home winning streak come to an end. Montreal was the last team to defeat Toronto at home, back on Oct. 29, 2022.

Montreal has allowed only 73 points through four games.

Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo was efficient, completing 33 of 41 passes for 284 yards. That included a 38-yard touchdown throw to Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot at 9:23 of the first quarter. Fajardo was intercepted once after an ill-advised pass to Philpot, who was double-covered in the end zone.

While Fajardo was sacked only once, he took far too many hits and had to temporarily leave the game early in the second half, taking a knee after being sandwiched by two Argos defenders.

“It was a gritty win by our group,” Fajardo said in a televised post-game interview. “We were challenged in all three phases, but we found a way to put them away towards the end. I just love this team. We just find ways to win games. But our red-zone efficiency needs to be better.”

“I feel good now,” he added. “Adrenaline’s a hell of a drug. We’ll see (Saturday) when I wake up. I’m happy I was able to finish the game. It’s football. It’s a violent game. We’ll see how I feel (Saturday).”

Evans scored the Alouettes’ third touchdown on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. David Côté added three field goals, but also missed from 45 yards. Montreal entertains Calgary next Saturday night.

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