(Toronto) The Montreal Alouettes were unable to stop the ground game – and the kicker – of the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night, losing for the first time this season in eight road games, 37-31 .
The Toronto team ran the ball 30 times for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs Ka’Deem Carey and Deonta McMahon crossed the goal line.
Lirim Hajrullahu set a team record with no less than eight field goals. He didn’t miss a single one.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Lirim Hajrullahu (70)
“I didn’t know eight was the record,” Hajrullahu said. We knew they were a tough opponent and we wanted to come out on top. Things are getting tough in the East and we are ready. »
Despite this setback, the Alouettes were crowned champions of the Eastern section thanks to the 29-16 defeat of the Ottawa Rouge et Noir against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“We were there to win a football game,” said Alouettes linebacker Darnell Sankey, who made six tackles and a sack.
“We’re not going to use that as an excuse, we didn’t play our best game. Congratulations Toronto. They executed their game plan better than us. They were the better team tonight. »
The Montreal team will play the Eastern final at home on November 9.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Toronto Argonauts running back Ka’Deem Carey celebrates after a touchdown in the first half.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo had an honest night of work completing 20 of 29 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Chad Kelly completed 19 of 30 passes for 287 yards and one interception.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Chad Kelly (12)
Thanks to this victory, the Argos move within one point of the Rouge et Noir and second place in the East, but above all they take a four-point lead over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and fourth place.
“Lirim was great, we have to make those kicks,” said Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. But we need to do better as we approach the end zone.
“We can’t make eight placements. I know this is a record [de la LCF]but I’d settle for just one to score a few touchdowns. »
An effective ground game from the Argonauts
The Argonauts were the first to get on the scoreboard with a 32-yard field goal from Hajrullahu in the first quarter.
Dionte Ruffin then threw his fifth interception of the campaign and Fajardo was quick to make the Argonauts pay.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
In the rain, the Alouettes’ defensive unit seeks to neutralize Janarion Grant (3).
On the next play, the Alouettes pivot joined Walter Fletcher 10 yards for the touchdown.
Kelly then used his running backs extensively and the Argonauts found themselves near the end zone three times, but each time they were unable to capitalize.
Hajrullahu made a field goal each time, bringing the score to 12-7 in favor of his team.
By running with the ball, the Argonauts eventually found the profitable zone.
Ka’Deem Carey scored his team’s first touchdown following a five-yard run.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ka’Deem Carey (25)
“This win is huge,” Carey said. This could change the course of our season and I’m going to make sure it changes the course of our season. »
That’s when Fajardo started moving.
The quarterback of the Montreal team first joined Charleston Rambo on 11 yards, then Spieker on 39 and 35 yards, for the touchdown.
James Letcher Jr. then scored a 100-yard touchdown on a punt return to give the Alouettes a 22-19 lead, but the Argonauts tied the game 22-22 on Hajrullahu’s fifth field goal with three seconds left in the first half.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo is looking for a target among his team.
The Alouettes had the chance to take the lead early in the third quarter, but Jose Maltos missed his 45-yard field goal attempt.
The Argonauts then responded with their favorite weapon in this meeting: the ground game.
This time, McMahon scored the touchdown on a six-yard run.
In the fourth quarter, Hajrullahu gave the Argonauts a 31-23 lead with his sixth field goal of the game, but Fajardo was active again.
PHOTO NICK IWANYSHYN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Lirim Hajrullahu (70)
The Sparrows quarterback completed four passes in a row, the last being a 34-yarder to Reggie White Jr. Dominique Davis put the finishing touch with a quarterback sneak in the pay zone.
Fajardo then connected with Tyler Snead for a two-point convert. The score was then 31-31.
With just over two minutes to go, however, Hajrullahu made his seventh field goal of the game, which would seal the outcome. He added an eighth at the very end of the match to set the record.