The Montreal Alouettes’ defense had played a very bad game against the Ottawa Rouge et Noir. Noel Thorpe’s unit recovered very well against the BC Lions, provoking six turnovers in a 31-10 victory, in front of 15,511 spectators gathered at Percival-Molson Stadium.
Perhaps the most important play of the game came in the fourth quarter. Newcomer Nafees Lyon intercepted a pass from Antonio Pipkin which he returned 52 yards for the major, ending any hope the Lions (8-3) would come from behind.
In the previous sequence, the visitors threatened and their attack seemed to regain confidence. But after a pass picked up by Bryan Burnham, Adarius Pickett caused the breakaway with a solid tackle and the ball was recovered by Marc-Antoine Dequoy. The Alouettes’ offense (5-7) was forced to clear, but Lyon succeeded in their feat.
In the third quarter, the Alouettes’ defense stopped the Lions’ attack when it was at the goal gate after a very long offensive push. Trailing by 18 points, head coach Rick Campbell went all out, going for a third down and seven yards to go. Bad for him: Mustafa had his second sack of the match by joining Pipkin far behind his line of scrimmage, causing an automatic turnover.
Mustafa’s first sack was made early in the game, in the Lions’ end zone, allowing the Alouettes to score a safety touchdown and get within one point of the visitors, who then led 3-2 thanks to the placement of 36 yards from Sean Whyte, scored on the very first streak of the game.
This is without mentioning the brilliance of the special units, once again very effective. Zach Lindley notably stood out by partially blocking a clearance from Stefan Flintoft. The ball ended up in touch and the Alouettes took over at the opposing 25 line. A few plays later, Dominique Davis scored the major, his 10th of the season, on a two-yard run.
The Alouettes’ offense did enough not to give the Lions hope. Trevor Harris notably joined Eugene Lewis on a 12-yard play for the other game-winning touchdown.
David Côté completed the scoring with field goals from 13, 21 and 30 yards.
Pipkin scored the Lions’ lone touchdown, on a two-yard sneak.
Failed reunion
The reunion of Vernon Adams Jr. was completely missed. Used in only three offensive sequences, he completed only one pass in three attempts. Dequoy, however, made Keon Hatcher lose the ball on the play, while Tyrice Beverette took it back.
Adams said he was “80% ready” to lead the Lions offense. Obviously, that wasn’t enough. He who said he was auditioning in the last eight games of the season to prove that he could get another chance as a starter in the Canadian League will have to do much better.
As for the Lions, they must hope that the injury to Michael O’Connor, the team’s No. 2 quarterback, should not be too severe.