On Thursday night at IG Field, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took on the Montreal Alouettes in a Week 9 rematch. The Blue Bombers were looking to do something they hadn’t done since 1960, and that was to start the season 10-0.
Both offenses made little progress in the first quarter. The game was scoreless, heading into the second quarter with Montreal having the ball, facing a 2nd and 7. Montreal quarterback Trevor Harris threw a six-yard pass to Reggie White Jr., followed by a one-yard run from Dominique Davis to get the first down.
On 2nd and 3, Harris’s pass intended for Kaion Julien-Grant was initially incomplete, but a defensive pass interference on Winston Rose moved the ball towards Winnipeg’s two-yard line. Then, backup quarterback Dominique Davis rushed in for the touchdown, giving Montreal a 7-0 lead with 12:13 left.
Midway through the second quarter, Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros got the offense going with a nine-yard pass to Greg Ellingson. Four plays later, Collaros scrambled out of the pocket with Montreal’s defense coming after him and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schoen, tying the game 7-7 with 6:28 left. Neither offense did much for the rest of the second quarter, and the game was tied 7-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Montreal quarterback Trevor Harris scrambled out of the pocket and threw a 42-yard pass to Kaion Julien-Grant, setting them up at Winnipeg’s 53-yard line. Harris threw two more times to get them on Winnipeg’s 35-yard line before David Cote made a 43-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 8:01 left.
On Winnipeg’s next possession, Zach Collaros threw three passes, but taking a sack and a penalty on the offense led to a 45-yard field goal from Marc Liegghio, tying the game 10-10 with 4:32 left in the third quarter. After Montreal went three-and-out, Winnipeg had the ball for the rest of the third quarter and faced a 2nd and 5 to start the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Collaros took off for an 11-yard run, followed by two passes to get them to Montreal’s 19-yard line. Then, Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira rushed up the middle and broke a couple of tackles to reach the endzone for the touchdown, giving Winnipeg a 17-10 lead with 12:50 left.
Late in the fourth quarter, Montreal marched down the field and tied the game with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Dominique Davis that tied the game 17-17 with 2:21 left. Winnipeg’s offense got to Montreal’s 24-yard line, but Marc Liegghio missed a 32-yard field, sending the game into overtime.
Montreal got the ball to start overtime. Montreal kicker David Cote made a 43-yard field goal to give them a 20-17 lead. Winnipeg needed a field goal to continue the game or win it with a touchdown. On 3rd and 4, Marc Liegghio attempted a 37-yard field goal, but the ball hit the upright, and Montreal ended Winnipeg’s perfect season with a 20-17 win. Winnipeg is now 9-1, while the Alouettes improve to 3-6.
This was a monumental win for Montreal. Knocking off the defending champions on their second try should give them a boost as they try to catch Toronto in the East Division. For Winnipeg, it’s back to the drawing board. This was a self-inflicted wound for them. The mistakes they made on the field allowed Montreal to hang around and win the game.
Montreal quarterback Trevor Harris went 18/27 for 213 yards, while backup quarterback Dominique Davis had seven carries for eight yards and two touchdowns. Tavien Feaster led the rushers with six carries for 39 yards, while wide receiver Jake Wienke had five catches for 66 yards. Montreal’s defense allowed 369 yards, 47 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Montreal hosts the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next Saturday at 4 pm on ESPN+.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros went 21/27 for 251 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for 11 yards. Running back, Brady Oliveira led the rushers with 15 carries for 84 yards, one touchdown, and two catches for four yards, while wide receiver Dalton Schoen had two catches for 57 yards and one touchdown. Winnipeg’s defense allowed 283 yards, 47 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups. Winnipeg is off next week.
