ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MONTREAL – There’s two weeks left in the season, but with the Argonauts as likely to win the East Division as they are to miss the post season, Sunday’s battle in Montreal against the Alouettes was a playoff game for the Double Blue.
Montreal, winners of seven of their last eight since QB Jonathan Crompton took over center, hosted the Argos in their third and final matchup this season, this time with the tiebreaker on the line.
The Alouettes dominated the Argos on the line of scrimmage two weeks ago at the Rogers Center, holding them to four field goals in a 20-12 defeat to claim first place in the East. At 7-9, Toronto would all but guarantee themselves a playoff spot with a win, having won the tiebreakers against both Montreal & Hamilton. At 8-8, Montreal could put a stranglehold on the East Division with one week remaining.
Montreal’s defence hasn’t allowed more than 17 points in each of their last five games, which is their best defensive run in four decades.
The Argos got some reinforcements this week, welcoming back OL Chris Van Zeyl to the lineup after missing Week 18 with a thumb injury.
The first quarter was an important one for Toronto, as the Alouettes gave the Argos the ball with the wind, which was blowing at 43 km/h prior to kickoff.
Their first drive was unsuccessful, resulting in a quick punt.
Montreal attempted a 45-yard field goal on their first drive but K/P Sean Whyte was wide right to keep the game scoreless. Toronto countered minutes later to open the scoring with a 21-yard Swayze Waters field goal. 3-0 Boatmen with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The score remained the same heading into the second.
While neither team accomplished much on offence in the first quarter, they were remarkably even, netting four first downs and 88 total yards each. RB Curtis Steele went down with an upper body injury on the first play of the game, resulting in RB Steve Slaton, Week 18’s Offensive Player Of The Week, getting a team-high six touches in the quarter.
At 4:02 of the second quarter Montreal scored the first touchdown, handing the ball off to RB Tyrell Sutton who took it to the house from 17 yards out. Whyte hit the conversion to give the Als a 7-3 lead.
With the Als continuing another long drive midway through the quarter, DE Aston Whiteside tackled WR Duron Carter from behind after a lengthy reception, resulting in a fumble that FS Jermaine Gabriel recovered to give Toronto the ball on the 44-yard line.
The Boatmen couldn’t get into the end zone on the ensuing drive, but they netted an extra point when Waters booted the ball into the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 7-4 with four minutes left in the half.
The defensive showdown continued in the second, as Crompton and QB Ricky Ray were given very little time to throw the ball.
The highlight of the half came from a trick-play attempt by Montreal when the Alouettes handed the ball off to WR SJ Green, who threw a 50-yard bomb to WR Duron Carter. Fortunately for the Argos, it slipped through his fingers and saved a for sure touchdown.
Given the ball back with under two minutes remaining in the first half, Toronto scored their first touchdown against Montreal since Week 6 when Mitchell Gale faked the QB sneak from the 1-yard line and threw a floater to WR Mike Bradwell to put the Argos up 11-7.
It was an efficient but unspectacular half for Ray, who completed 15 of 20 passes for 128 yards. Crompton completed 6 of 14 for 120 yards. Montreal led the total yards battle 206 to 172, but the Argos led in first downs, return yards and had fewer turnovers, all key factors in a game likely to be decided by field position and efficiency. On special teams, Waters’ leg combined with the wind resulted in a 49.8 yards-per-punt average compared to Whyte’s 36.3.
Toronto’s defence held strong as the third quarter carried on, holding Montreal to a number of two-and-outs while winning time of possession. Montreal continued to be creative, attempting a fake punt at midfield, but were stopped.
Another huge moment came when Toronto punted the ball away on the ensuing series, and RS James Rodgers dropped the catch around Montreal’s 20, and Matt Ware was unable to recover it after it bounced off his leg. Had he held onto it, he would have had an easy route to the endzone.
Toronto would later add another field goal to extend the lead to 14-7 going into the fourth quarter.
Less than a minute later, Montreal would counter with a field goal of their own to narrow led to 14-10.
The Alouettes got the ball back and their offence found a groove. Completions from Crompton to Green and Carter set the Als up in striking distance and they did not waste the opportunity.
Crompton found Carter for the touchdown and the Alouettes the lead with just under ten minutes left to play.
Toronto had multiple opportunites to take the lead back but the Montreal defence continued to shut down Ricky Ray and his receivers.
Then with under three minutes left, on what would be a crucial drive, Ray was tackled hard to the ground and was forced from the game and would not return. Trevor Harris took over at quarterback but was unable to lead the Argos to the end zone.
The Alouettes closed it out on the ground and the Argos record fell to 7-10 with dwindling playoff hopes with a must win situation against the Ottawa REDBLACKS on tap for week 20.