Alouettes win 12th game of 2024 on Thanksgiving Monday

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The Montreal Alouettes took care of business at home on Thanksgiving Monday, as they took down the Ottawa Redblacks, 19-12. The Als have now rattled off 12 victories for the first time since the 2010 season. Of course, the team went on to win their second of back-to-back Grey Cup titles, which is exactly what they’re trying to do this year. They’ll head into Saturday’s game in Vancouver with an impressive 12-3-1 record.

Let’s take a look at how they got the job done on Monday:

Using special teams as a weapon:

The special teams battle was particularly one sided. That had a lot to do with the Redblacks taking a lot of bad penalties, but give Montreal credit because they made things happen, too.

First, how about the blocked field goal by Antonio Moultrie? The Redblacks had an opportunity to tie the game at three, but the big defensive lineman got his paws on the Lewis Ward kick. It was a big play that set the tone for the rest of the game on special teams.

“We game planned to hit the A-gap like that,” Moultrie said. “I saw a small crease from the guard, and I put it on myself. I jumped the snap, got my hands up, and luckily, I got my hands on the ball. I’m glad we scooped it up.”

For those who aren’t aware, the A-gap is the space between the centre and guard along the line of scrimmage.

Moultrie and fellow rookie Jordan Domineck also played a solid game of defence, as they were able to limit the damage in the run game while applying pressure on Ottawa’s Jeremiah Masoli.

The Alouettes also capitalized on Redblacks penalties on special teams. For example, they were getting ready to punt when an Ottawa player knocked down punter Joseph Zema. The 10-yard penalty resulted in a first down. A few plays later, Davis Alexander scored a rushing touchdown to put the Als up 10-0.

Returner James Letcher Jr. also had an incredible punt return, which he took into Ottawa territory. Another Redblacks penalty put the ball at their own 19-yard line. The Als scored another three points on that drive.

“Penalties definitely made a difference in the game,” linebacker Alex Gagne admitted. “That cost them field position and big plays. We know what we’re worth. We won’t get involved in that kind of silliness and those penalties. We have a job to do, and we try to do it to the best of our ability. If they want to yell or hit us late, we’re not going to respond.”

In a seven-point game, discipline is key. The Redblacks took 12 penalties for 122 yards, while Montreal was penalized seven times for 59 yards.

Defence doesn’t give up a touchdown:

What more can you say about this defence? They didn’t allow a touchdown on Monday afternoon even though the Redblacks found themselves in the red zone on multiple occasions.

In the second half, with the game very tight, the Redblacks offence were inside the Montreal 20-yard line three times, and all three times, they had to settle for field goals. That was the difference in the game.

One of the stand-out players on defence was defensive back Wesley Sutton, who knocked down a second-down pass in his own end zone to force one of those Ottawa field goals. Moments later, he managed to intercept a Masoli pass which led to a field goal for the Alouettes.

“I honestly thought I was in bad position when (Masoli) released the ball,” Sutton said of his interception. “I kind of flipped my hips, turned, saw the ball in the air, and I had to catch that one because I dropped the last one.”

Another player who has turned it on in the second half of the season is Canadian defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund. The 28-year-old finished the game with two sacks, which came on back-to-back plays on the Redblacks’ final drive when they were looking to tie the score.

Adeyemi-Berglund, who was signed as a free agent last winter, has recorded five sacks in his last five outings. He now finds himself tied for third in the CFL with seven quarterback sacks.

“It could be anyone,” Adeyemi-Berglund said of his performance at Percival Molson Stadium on Monday. “I was just the beneficiary of everyone rushing great. (The quarterback) has to step up somewhere, and it happened to be my side. The defensive backs also did a great job locking things up in coverage. I just have to give credit to the whole defence.”

Big MACK:

Receiver Austin Mack returned to the lineup after missing four games with an ankle injury. All Mack did in his return was lead the team with four receptions and 92 yards. He and Alexander connected on a long 50-yard pass in the fourth quarter.

“I felt like I had a decent game,” Mack said. “Big shoutout to (our medical staff) for allowing me to get back on the field. I had a serious injury and was able to make it back in four weeks so that I could get these last three games and build some momentum. I want to get ready for these playoffs. This was just my second game up here. I want to get more plays and more snaps under my belt.”

The 27-year-old, who attended Atlanta Falcons training camp earlier this year, missed the first three months of the season.

What’s next?

The Alouettes will play their next game in less than a week, as they’ll head out to Vancouver to take on the B.C. Lions on Saturday night. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. ET from B.C. Place.

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