The Toronto Argonauts (4-0) visited Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Friday night in an Eastern Division clash against the Montreal Alouettes (2-3). In addition, this was the first meeting between these teams since last year’s Eastern Final.
In the first quarter, Chad Kelly, Cameron Dukes, Andrew Harris, and A.J. Ouellette combined for 29 yards. Then, Chad Kelly threw a 24-yard pass to DaVaris Daniels on the Montreal one-yard line. Kelly took it in for the touchdown on the next play with a quarterback sneak. It was 7-0 Toronto with 9:42 left.
For the rest of the first quarter, Toronto had a drive late but Montreal’s defense stopped them to force a punt on third down. Montreal had the ball on Toronto’s 40-yard line to begin the second quarter down 7-0.
In the second quarter, Montreal kicker David Cote made a 47-yard field goal. It was 7-3 Toronto with 14:42 left. On their next drive, Montreal was knocking on the door for more points until Cody Fajardo’s pass was intercepted by Wynton McManis intended for Tyler Snead. Fajardo forced the throw and McManis made Fajardo pay the price. Despite the good field position, Toronto could not take advantage of the turnover.
Later in the second quarter, Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a deep pass toward Tyler Snead for a 17-yard touchdown. This was a great touchdown with Snead turning around to make a leaping catch with two Toronto players on him. It was now 10-7 Montreal at halftime.
Montreal had 168 yards on offense led by Cody Fajardo completing 9 of 15 passes (60%) for 105 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one carry for 13 yards. Running back William Stanback had nine carries for 44 yards, and two catches for 26 yards, and wide receiver Austin Mack had four catches for 44 yards.
Toronto had 154 yards on offense. Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 10 of 12 passes (83.3%) for 111 yards, one interception, two carries for ten yards, and one touchdown. Running back A.J. Ouellette had five carries for 16 yards, and wide receiver DaVaris Daniels had two catches for 46 yards. Toronto had trouble with penalties committing eight of them for 70 yards.
In the third quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede made a 19-yard field goal that tied the game at ten all with 12:17 left. On Montreal’s first drive of the second half, Cody Fajardo lost the football while getting sacked by Dewayne Hendrix. Montreal recovered it which led to a David Cote 27-yard field goal for a 13-10 lead with 7:04 left.
On the fourth play for Toronto, Chad Kelly faked a handoff before scrambling to his right side. He then threw a dart to David Ungerer III for a 15-yard touchdown. Ungerer used his tippy toes to stay inbounds near the out-of-bounds line. The Argonauts led 17-13 with 4:44 left.
Late in the third quarter, Toronto kicker Boris Bede converted a 37-yard field goal for a 20-13 lead with 1:05 left. Montreal had the ball to begin the fourth quarter down 20-13. This game was shaping up to be a shootout.
In the fourth quarter, the game felt like you were watching a boxing match unfold. Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo avoided being sacked three times before throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Snead which tied the game 20-20 with 12:11 left.
Later in the fourth quarter, Chad Kelly threw a 25-yard touchdown to Damonte Coxie who made a beautiful one-handed catch that made it 27-20 with 5:04. Montreal needed to respond on their next drive, and they did. On the fourth play of their drive, Cody Fajardo threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Snead that tied the game again 27-27 with 3:20 left.
Toronto once again broke the tie. On the third play, Chad Kelly threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to David Ungerer III for a 34-27 lead with 1:54 left. Montreal needed to respond. However, Toronto’s defense made a crucial stop. After William Stanback had a three-yard gain, Shawn Oakman sacked Cody Fajardo to force a third down. Montreal went for it when Cody Fajardo threw an 11-yard pass to Kaion Julian-Grant but they were eight yards short.
Toronto had a chance to put the game away but Boris Bede missed a 43-yard field goal and it was time to buckle up. Cody Fajardo completed three straight passes for 38 yards on Toronto’s 32-yard line. On the final play, Fajardo chucked one up for a hail mary but Tarvarus McFadden picked it off to end the game. Toronto remains undefeated with a 34-27 win over Montreal.
This was an entertaining game. Both teams made highlights reels that will surely end up on the top ten plays of the year. In addition, this was a game that the CFL needed badly given what happened in Edmonton on Thursday night. Some are already calling it the game of the year and indeed you can put this one as a top-five game of the year candidate.
Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly is making a case to be named MVP right now He completed 21 of 25 passes for (84%) for 351 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, four carries for 13 yards, and one touchdown. Running back A.J. Ouellette had 14 carries for 95 yards. Wide receivers DaVaris Daniels, Damonte Coxie, David Ungerer III, and Kurleigh Gittens Jr. combined with 13 catches for 291 yards.
Toronto’s defense allowed 346 yards, with 56 tackles, four sacks (2 by Dewayne Hendrix), and one interception. The only thing Toronto needs is to clean up the penalties. They were penalized 15 times costing them 157 yards.
Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 26 of 36 passes (72.2%) for 281 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and one carry for nine yards. Running back William Stanback had 12 carries for 53 yards.
Wide receivers Tyler Snead Kaion Julien-Grant, and Austin Mack combined for 16 catches, 182 yards, and three touchdowns. The three touchdowns were scored by Tyler Snead. Montreal’s defense allowed 477 yards, with 49 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next Friday, the Toronto Argonauts battle the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 7:30 pm on CFL+, while the Montreal Alouettes are on a bye week. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
