The good news is that the Alouettes put up good opposition to the CFL’s top team on Saturday night in Winnipeg. The bad news was that they suffered a second straight setback which was a huge blow to their chances of making a playoff game in Montreal.
Already assured of finishing first in the West Division, the Blue Bombers claimed their tenth straight victory by a score of 31-21. However, it was the tie, 21-21, at the start of the fourth quarter and all hopes were high for the Alouettes.
But the Bombers completely dominated the last 15 minutes of play. They scored 10 points and, in addition to shutting out Trevor Harris and the Als, their defense intercepted two late passes from the latter. The defense of the defending champions has still not conceded a touchdown in the fourth quarter in 2021 …
On his first start in the Alouettes’ uniform, Harris was average, completing 14 of his 25 passes for 177 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Jake Wieneke and Reggie White Jr., who marked his first major in the CFL.
PHOTO JOHN WOODS, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Touch of Reggie White son in the first half
Harris, however, fell victim to four sacks behind an offensive line that struggled to contain the Blue Bombers’ excellent defensive front, especially as Philippe Gagnon left the game after aggravating his calf injury.
“He played well and did some great things, but I’m sure he would be the first to tell you that he would like the chance to throw some of his passes again. Overall I think his game was pretty solid and hopefully we can build on that performance, ”Khari Jones said of Harris.
PHOTO JOHN WOODS, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Quarterback Trevor Harris (17)
The quarterback was much more severe in assessing his play.
I don’t comfort myself with moral victories and I don’t give myself excuses. It’s professional football.
Quarterback Trevor Harris, Montreal Alouettes
“I know I can do better in many aspects of the game. I have told my teammates that I can play better and that is what I will do,” said Harris, who did not want to shirk the blame. on its line. “She fought well. ”
“When you find yourself in a passing situation too often, you end up losing battles against that defensive line. But I think our line was playing pretty well before Gagnon fell in action, ”said Jones for his part.
PHOTO JOHN WOODS, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Quarterback Zach Collaros (8)
Zach Collaros (21 for 33 for 280 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions) and the Blue Bombers’ offense played well, but it was his defense that helped Mike O’Shea’s team to win a 19e victory in 20 matches. Statistically, the Blue Bombers’ defense is one of the best in the past 50 years, allowing just 147 points in 12 games (average of 12.2 per game).
But even the Bombers’ defense was unable to neutralize William Stanback, who had 106 yards on 16 carries (averaging 6.6 per carry), on Saturday night. Stanback reached the 1,000 rushing yard mark for a second straight season.
Return match
Jones and his team will have a second chance to take on the Blue Bombers on Saturday, this time at Percival-Molson Stadium.
“I’m happy that we face them again next week. And let’s hope we find them a third time a little later, ”commented Jones, referring to a possible final between the two teams.
“Even though we lost this game, I still have confidence in our team. We were playing against a good club tonight. There are a few things that need to be corrected and I know it is getting late, but I still believe we will. ”
Foreign qualifiers?
The Alouettes officially got their playoff pass on Friday night when the BC Lions lost to Hamilton. But since the Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts won this weekend, the odds of the Als finishing third in the East are high.
If that were to be the case, the Alouettes would have to win victories in Toronto and Hamilton in order to reach the Gray Cup game for the first time since 2010. “I still think there is a possibility that we could play a home playoff game. We have to win and see what happens, ”said Jones.
Following their encounter with the Blue Bombers, the Birds will end their season with the Ottawa Rouge et Noir on November 19. In order to play another game in front of their fans afterwards, the Alouettes will almost certainly have to win against Winnipeg and Ottawa.
“I’m not sure it would make such a big difference whether we play abroad or at home. Our team has played a little better abroad this season, ”noted Jones (2-3 in Montreal and 4-3 on the road).
It might not make that much of a difference on the pitch, but in the team’s coffers it would. With more than two games to go in the season, we expected a little more than a .500 (6-6) record from the Alouettes. It’s not too late, but as Jones himself said, it’s getting late.