The Montreal Alouettes (5-3) hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-5) on Friday night from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium for their first meeting of the season.
Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo, who was a game-time decision, did not play due to a left shoulder injury and Caleb Evans got the start. This was Evans’s 14th career start in the CFL.
On the fourth play of the first quarter, Caleb Evans took off for a 27-yard run to the Roughriders’ 12-yard line. Montreal running back Walter Fletcher had two carries for ten yards to get to the two-yard line before Evans scored the touchdown with a quarterback sneak. It was 7-0 Montreal with 10:16 left.
Later in the first quarter, Saskatchewan running back Jamal Morrow had a couple of carries for 16 yards before kicker Brett Lauther made a 32-yard field goal. It was now 7-3 Montreal with 3:21 left. With seven seconds left, Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Fine threw a short pass to Shawn Bane Jr. for no gain on their 35-yard line to begin the second quarter down 7-3.
Saskatchewan punted the ball to begin the second quarter. On the second play for Montreal, Caleb Evans completed a short pass to Walter Fletcher with blocks ahead of him for a gain of 68 yards. Four plays later, Caleb Evans scored his second touchdown of the game with another quarterback sneak for a 14-3 lead with 10:23 left.
The night got worse for Saskatchewan. Quarterback Mason Fine who could not find a receiver open and started to run. While he was running, he went to go for a slide and injured his right knee when sliding. Fine had trouble getting up before going down again. After the medical team came out, he was helped from the field and did not return. Before the injury, Fine completed 5 of 9 passes (55.5%) for 20 yards, and three carries for 14 yards.
Jake Dolegala was the new Roughriders quarter. Saskatchewan’s offense was quiet and the production was not there. Late in the second quarter, Montreal kicker David Cote converted a 33-yard field goal for a 17-3 lead with 1:43 left. Montreal led 17-3 at halftime.
Montreal had 191 yards on offense. Quarterback Caleb Evans completed 4 of 7 passes (57.1%) for 90 yards, one interception, seven carries for 41 yards, and two touchdowns. Running back Walter Fletcher had 11 carries for 53 yards, and one catch for 68 yards. Wide receiver Tyler Snead had one catch for 15 yards.
Saskatchewan had 95 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Dolegala completed 2 of 5 passes (40%) for 18 yards, one interception, and one carry for three yards. Running back Jamal Morrow had six carries for 40 yards, and wide receiver Jerreth Sterns had three catches for 23 yards.
Montreal poured it on in the second half. In the third quarter, Caleb Evans threw a deep pass to Austin Mack, who extended his arms to make a catch with a defender on him to score a 56-yard touchdown. It was now 24-3 with 11:26 left. Evans had great protection up front and Saskatchewan’s defense could not get close to him.
Later, Montreal running back Jeshrun Antwi broke two tackles and while he was getting taken down, he extended his arms to break the plain for a 19-yard touchdown which made it 31-3 with 1:53 left. Montreal led 31-3 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan did show some signs of life. After getting the ball to the Alouettes’ 36-yard line, kicker Brett Lauther made a 34-yard field goal. It was now 31-6 with 14:46 left.
When the Roughriders got the ball back, Montreal’s defense put pressure on quarterback Jake Dolegala. Avery Ellis stripped the ball out of Dolegala’s hand and Tyrice Beverette scooped it up for a 26-yard touchdown and a 38-6 lead with 11:48 left.
Late in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan finally scored a touchdown by Jake Dolegala for a one-yard quarterback sneak. They tried a two-point conversion but did not get it. It was now 38-12 with 5:30 left. With a minute left, Montreal kicker David Cote made a 37-yard field goal for a 41-12 lead. The Alouettes routed the Roughriders by the final score of 41-12.
Montreal dominated this game from start to finish. They had 328 yards on offense led by quarterback Caleb Evans completing 8 of 13 passes (61.5%) for 149 yards, one touchdown, one interception, 11 carries for 66 yards, and two touchdowns.
Running back Walter Fletcher had 15 carries for 73 yards, and led the receivers with one catch for 68 yards, and wide receiver Austin Mack had one catch for 56 yards, and one touchdown. Montreal’s defense had a nice game with 43 tackles, two sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown.
For Saskatchewan, the question is how long will Mason Fine be out? Things are not fine in Saskatchewan right now. The play calling was not great and the team struggled to generate any plays until the late third quarter and into the fourth quarter. If Fine has to miss some time, expect the Roughriders to sign a quarterback this week.
Saskatchewan had 221 yards on offense. Quarterback Jake Dolegala completed 11 of 20 passes (55%) for 107 yards, one interception, two carries for four yards, and one touchdown.
Running back Jamal Morrow had 18 carries for 81 yards and wide receiver Jerreth Sterns had four catches for 41 yards. The defense had 39 tackles, one sack, and one interception.
Next Saturday, the Montreal Alouettes visit the Ottawa Redblacks at 7 pm on CBS Sports Network, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the B.C. Lions on Sunday 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.
