The Toronto Argonauts ended a three-game losing streak Friday night at BMO Field in a 30-27 win over the Montreal Alouettes.
Midway through the first quarter, the Argonauts marched from their own ten-yard to reach the Alouettes’ 15-yard line. Then Argo’s quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson scrambled out of the pocket to find Kurleigh Gittens Jr. for the touchdown.
The Argo’s led 7-0 with 3:21 left in the first quarter. It was Bethel-Thompson’s fourth touchdown of the year and Gittens’s second touchdown of the season. The score remained 7-0 after the first quarter. The Alouettes had the ball to begin the second quarter. Before the first quarter ended, the Alouettes had reached the Argo’s 40-yard line.
On the fifth Alouettes play in the second quarter, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. made a short pass to Eugene Lewis, who took it for a seven-yard touchdown that tied the game 7-7 with 12:15 left.
Argo’s returner Chandler Worthy fumbled the ball on the kickoff, and it was recovered by the Alouettes on the 35-yard line. The Alouettes were able to get a field goal by David Cote for 17-yards and a 10-7 lead with seven minutes left in the second quarter.
Late in the second quarter, the Argo’s mixed up some plays with their backup quarterback Antonio Pipkin as a runner. Then McLeod Bethel-Thompson put the ball in the air to take it to the Alouettes’ three-yard line. Running back D.J. Foster then ran it up the middle for the touchdown that put the Argo’s back up 14-10 with 51-seconds left.
The scoring continued after Argo’s defensive back, Chris Edwards, intercepted Vernon Adams Jr’s pass. Argo’s quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw a deep pass to Chandler Worthy for a 45-yard touchdown that extended the Argo’s lead 21-10, heading into halftime.
The Alouettes offense dominated possession in the third quarter. Midway through, Vernon Adams Jr. and company marched down to the Argo’s three-yard line. Then, running back William Stanback punched it in down the middle for the touchdown. The Alouettes trailed the Argo’s 21-17 with 2:24 left in the third quarter.
The Argonauts offense went to work and got it down to the Alouettes’ 22-yard line before time expired in the third quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter, Argo’s kicker Boris Bede made a 29-yard field goal that made it a touchdown game 24-17.
The Argo’s defense quickly shut down the Alouettes offense to get the ball back. The Argo’s offense went down to the Alouettes’ 25-yard line before Boris Bede kicked a 32-yard field goal for a 27-17 lead with 9:44 remaining in the game.
On the Alouettes next possession, Vernon Adams Jr. made a couple of good passes before the offense stalled. The Alouettes made it a one-score game 27-20 when kicker David Cote made a 28-yard field goal with 6:33 left in the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Argo’s kicker Boris Bede made a 37-yard field goal with 2:44 left for a 30-20 lead. When the Alouettes got the ball back, Vernon Adams Jr. threw a 49-yard pass to Jake Wienke, setting them up on the Argo’s 27-yard line. Then, Adams threw to Wienke again for the touchdown, and the Alouettes trailed 30-27.
After the Alouettes defense shut down the Argo’s offense, the Alouettes had one more chance. However, while the Alouettes moved the ball, they ran out of time, and the Argonauts won 30-27 over the Alouettes.
Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson went 13/19 for 210-yard and two touchdowns. Running back John White led the Argo’s in rushing with nine carries for 44-yards. Damion Jeanpiere led in receiving with four receptions for 91-yards. The defense recorded two sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
For the Alouettes, Vernon Adams Jr. went 30/39 for 382-yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and 38-yards rushing. Running back William Stanback had 19 carries for 133-yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Jake Wieneke led the receivers with six receptions for 117-yards and one touchdown. The defense recorded one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next week, the Alouettes play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday, October 2nd, at 4 pm on ESPN+. The Argonauts are on a bye next week.
