The Montreal Alouettes (3-3) closed out Week 8 on Sunday night from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium against the Calgary Stampeders (2-5) in their first meeting of the year.
This game was a defensive battle. While both defenses gave up some big plays, they buckled down in the red zone and neither offense scored a touchdown just field goals.
However, Montreal’s defense would be the better of the two defenses with one play that determined the outcome of the game.
In the first quarter, Calgary had the ball to begin the game. On third and one, Calgary lined up for a quarterback sneak in which Tommy Stevens, instead of rushing up the middle, ran to the left side for a gain of 31 yards. That play would lead to a 50-yard field goal by Rene Paredes to give the Stampeders a 3-0 lead with 12:41 left.
When it was Montreal’s turn on offense, quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a 31-yard pass into the hands of Kaion Julien-Grant. The two would connect again for 11 yards before kicker David Cote converted a 30-yard field goal which tied the game 3-3 with 8:46 left.
Later in the first quarter, Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo threw two passes to Austin Mack for 25 yards. Fajardo also rushed for seven yards toward Calgary’s 34-yard line before David Cote made a 42-yard field goal for a 6-3 lead with 4:01 left.
Montreal had the ball again for the rest of the first quarter. They made it to Calgary’s 33-yard line as the first quarter ended, facing second down. They started the second quarter by reaching the 29-yard line but David Cote missed a 37-yard field goal and Calgary returned the ball out of the endzone to prevent a single point.
The turning point of the game came on Calgary’s next drive. On the second play, quarterback Jake Maier intended to throw the ball toward Luther Hakunavanhu but Kabion Ento read the play perfectly and intercepted it for a 53-yard touchdown. David Cote missed the extra point and the Alouettes led 13-3 with 12:24 left.
For the rest of the second quarter, both teams combined for nine points on all field goals. Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked two field goals, one for 32 yards, and one for 53 yards, while Montreal kicker David Cote converted a 42-yard field goal. Montreal led 16-9 at halftime.
Montreal had 188 yards on offense. Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 10 of 16 passes (62.5%) for 107 yards, and four carries for 21 yards. In the first half, Fajardo injured his throwing hand but stayed in the game. Running back William Stanback had seven carries for 54 yards, and wide receiver Kaion Julien-Grant had four catches for 57 yards.
Calgary had 136 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier completed 10 of 21 passes (47.7%) for 97 yards, and one interception. Running back Dedrick Mills had four carries for 14 yards, and wide receiver Tre Odoms-Dukes had four catches for 51 yards.
In the third quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes kicked a 48-yard field goal that made it 16-12 with 9:23 left. When Montreal got the ball, quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a long pass to Kaion Julien-Grant but it was broken up by Jonathan Moxey. However, a defensive pass interference penalty on Moxey gave Montreal a new set of downs. It would lead to a David Cote 20-yard field goal for a 19-12 lead with 6:48 left.
On the second play for Calgary, Jake Maier threw a 40-yard pass to Reggie Begelton, who made a great over-the-shoulder catch. It would lead to a Rene Paredes 21-yard field goal and it was now 19-15 with 2:38 left.
Montreal was on the move. Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw four straight passes for 39 yards to Calgary’s 26-yard line as the third quarter ended. Montreal led 19-15.
In the fourth quarter, David Cote kicked a 30-yard field goal which made it 22-15 with 12:39 left. Later in the fourth quarter, Calgary kicker Rene Paredes converted a 38-yard field goal and it was now 22-18 with 4:48 left.
On the next drive, Montreal running back William Stanback had three carries for 20 yards plus one catch for three yards. A roughing of the passer penalty on Calgary led the Alouettes to kick another field goal in which David Cote made it for 42 yards for a 25-18 lead. Despite this, Calgary was not out of this game.
Jake Maier tried to throw the ball to Clark Barnes with pressure in his face but Kordell Rodgers intercepted it. Calgary would get one more chance on the Alouettes’ 10-yard line. On third down, Maier overthrew Luther Hakunavanhu which ended the game.
In that situation, Maier had room to get a first down and have one more play left, but he tried to be a hero and forced a throw that did not need to be made. The Alouettes defeated the Stampeders by the final score of 25-18.
Montreal had 272 yards on offense. Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 16 of 29 passes (55.1%) for 158 yards, one interception, and five carries for 27 yards. At times, Fajardo would make some good plays but he has trouble seeing the field. There were a dozen situations where a player was wide open and he did not see them despite not having much pressure in his face.
Running back William Stanback had a nice game with 15 carries for 86 yards, and three catches for 18 yards, and wide receiver Kaion Julien-Grant had five catches for 71 yards. Montreal’s defense had 36 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions.
Calgary had 309 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Maier did not have a good night. He completed 24 of 44 passes (54.5%) for 256 yards, two interceptions, and one carry for two yards.
Jake Maier continues to have problems seeing the field and not making smart decisions with the football. Like Fajardo, there were too many guys open that he did not see and he tried to make big plays that were not there.
I hate to say it, but Calgary has to find another quarterback. They either put Tommy Stevens in or a trade that I would make immediately is getting Edmonton’s Tre Ford. If Edmonton is not going to use him, then make a deal for him. Maier is a good backup quarterback but nothing more.
Also, the play calls seemed to still be written for Bo Levi Mitchell instead of Maier. Head Coach Dave Dickenson is not doing a good job and it is a shame what has happened to this team in the last six years. Change is needed in Calgary badly if they ever want to compete for a Grey Cup again.
Running back Dedrick Mills had five carries for 16 yards, and three catches for 20 yards, and LeVante Bellamy had three carries for 18 yards. Wide receivers Reggie Begelton and Tre Odoms-Dukes combined with 16 catches logging 189 yards. Calgary’s defense had 39 tackles and one sack.
Next week, the Calgary Stampeders host the Toronto Argonauts next Friday at 9 pm on CFL+, while the Montreal Alouettes visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 CFL Season. Purchase CFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
