MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes scored 15 unanswered points in the final quarter to beat the Calgary Stampeders 30-26 and keep their five-game unbeaten start alive at Percival Molson Stadium on Saturday night.
Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo had another strong outing, completing 35-of-42 passing attempts for 374 yards and two touchdowns. The 32-year-old also accumulated 35 rushing yards on four carries.
Calgary starter Jake Maier completed 18 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
The Stampeders were especially effective with their run game, totalling 148 yards on the ground, led by Peyton Logan (65 yards) and backup QB Tommy Stevens (49 yards).
Alouettes’ running back Walter Fletcher was a threat in the passing game, tallying 104 yards through the air on nine receptions. Fletcher became the fourth different Alouettes receiver to register a 100-yard game this season.
Tyson Philpot reached the mark for the third time this campaign, catching 12 passes for 134 yards.
The Alouettes were sloppy in possession on the night, notably giving up an interception and a fumble on consecutive drives early in the second quarter.
Als star defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy left the game with an injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
An interception by Dionté Ruffin with 32 seconds left in the game sealed the win for Montreal.
The Alouettes took a late 30-26 lead after Fletcher ran the ball in from 31 yards with 1:03 left in the game. Montreal’s two-point conversation was intercepted.
A Montreal field goal brought the score to 26-24 at the 5:07 mark of the fourth quarter, setting up the exciting finish.
Cole Spieker caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to cut the Alouettes’ deficit to 26-21 with 11:36 remaining in the contest. Montreal’s subsequent two-point conversation was unsuccessful.
Jose Carlos Maltos converted on a 22-yard field goal to bring the score to 26-15 ahead of the final frame.
Rene Paredes’ 31-yard field goal with 6:23 to go in the third quarter padded Calgary’s 26-12 lead.
Maltos’ field goal cut the deficit to 23-12 as the teams headed in for the halftime break.
The Stampeders extended their lead 23-9 when Maier hit Reggie Begelton on a six-yard pass for a touchdown at the 1:36 mark in the second frame.
Calgary’s extra point attempt was blocked by Mustafa Johnson and returned down the length of the field by Kabion Ento to bring the score to 16-9 at the 2:36 mark of the second quarter.
An interception by Bentlee Sanders helped set up the Stampeders’ next scoring drive, capped off by a one-yard rush into the end zone by Stevens to make it 16-7 with 2:39 remaining in the first half.
Paredes put Calgary ahead 10-7 at 10:02 of the second frame with a 22-yard field goal.
The Stampeders tied the game at 7-7 with 1:31 left in the first quarter, with Stevens punching the ball in the end zone from the one-yard line after his 39-yard rush put his team in scoring position.
Kaion Julien-Grant opened the scoring at 6:47 of the first quarter on a five-yard pass from Fajardo to make it 7-0 after the Alouettes marched down the field 45 yards on seven plays.
UP NEXT
Stampeders: Visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4) on Friday.
Alouettes: Host the Toronto Argonauts (2-2) on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2024.
