The story of the game wasn’t just the Alouettes’ suffocating defence but also the precision of kicker José Matlos, who drilled four field goals to help his team secure the victory. Montreal’s potent combination of defensive resilience and timely scoring helped them weather an inconsistent offensive showing to emerge victorious once again.
Alouettes’ Defence Bounces Back in Dominant Fashion
After conceding 37 points to the Toronto Argonauts in their previous game before a bye week, the Montreal Alouettes (12-3-1) needed a strong defensive showing to reassert their dominance. Led by a unit that believes it’s the best in the CFL, the Alouettes didn’t disappoint. Ottawa (8-7-1) was held without a touchdown, despite multiple red zone opportunities, a testament to Montreal’s tenacity.
“The defence is the heart of our team,” said Alouettes defensive back Wesley Sutton. “We tried to come out and do our job. We’re a very physical defence. We are the No. 1 defence in this league, we believe that, and we just had to come out today and showcase it.”
Sutton was a key figure in the defensive effort, making two crucial plays in the second half. The 2022 CFL All-Star knocked down an end-zone pass intended for Ottawa’s Andre Miller in the third quarter and followed it up with a pivotal interception of Ottawa quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in the fourth. His timely plays, along with the unit’s overall consistency, prevented the Redblacks from ever truly gaining momentum.
Montreal head coach Jason Maas praised Sutton for his impact on and off the field. “He comes to work every single day ready to play. He’s a calming influence back there, but he is relentless as a ball player,” Maas said. “He’s one of the first guys I talked to when I got this job, and I said if we have everyone that thinks like him and plays like him, we’re going to be very good.”
José Matlos: The Quiet Hero
The Alouettes’ victory was also powered by kicker José Matlos, who went a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, including a crucial 47-yarder in the fourth quarter that widened the Alouettes’ lead to 16-9. Matlos’ consistency helped to mask the occasional offensive struggles of Montreal’s unit and ensured that points were put on the board whenever opportunities presented themselves.
Matlos’ kicks were the difference on a day when neither offence found the end zone with regularity. His performance epitomized the reliability that head coaches cherish, especially in close, low-scoring games like this one.
QB Davis Alexander Steps In
Montreal’s starting quarterback Cody Fajardo missed the game following the birth of his second child, leaving the offence in the hands of backup Davis Alexander. Alexander, in his first start since August, had an up-and-down performance, completing 14-of-24 passes for 208 yards, one interception, and one rushing touchdown.
Alexander’s rushing score in the second quarter gave Montreal its only touchdown of the game. The drive was aided by two costly Ottawa penalties, setting up a nine-yard scramble by Alexander to cap a seven-play, 66-yard drive. Despite moments of struggle — including a sack and a fumble later in the half — Alexander managed to keep Montreal moving enough to secure the win.
One of the game’s highlights was Alexander’s 50-yard bomb to receiver Austin Mack in the fourth quarter, a play that set up Matlos’ final field goal. It was a glimpse of Alexander’s potential as he continues to gain valuable playing experience in Fajardo’s absence.
Ottawa Redblacks Falter with Penalties and Missed Opportunities
Ottawa came into the game needing a victory to keep their hopes of hosting the East Division semifinal alive. However, the Redblacks once again shot themselves in the foot with a lack of discipline, committing 11 penalties for 117 yards, including 10 penalties for 107 yards in the first half alone.
“We got to do better as players,” said Masoli. “We got to be more consistent, be selfless out there while we’re going. I know you get caught up in the moment, but we got to play smarter. When we get in these playoffs, we can’t afford any of that stuff.”
Ottawa’s offence struggled to capitalize on their red zone chances, settling for field goals when they desperately needed touchdowns. In the third quarter, the Redblacks reached the red zone twice but came away with only two field goals. A prime opportunity to swing the momentum came when receiver Nick Mardner brought the Redblacks to the Montreal two-yard line, but a taunting penalty moved them back. Moments later, Masoli’s end-zone pass to Miller was swatted away by Sutton.
Ottawa head coach Bob Dyce was visibly frustrated by the self-inflicted mistakes. “We would have liked to finish with touchdowns, but at the end of the day, a lot of penalties are things that you can control,” Dyce said. “They can’t be selfish things, and that’s the thing that bothers me.”
Jeremiah Masoli and the Redblacks’ Offensive Struggles
Masoli, who had been sharing snaps with backup Dustin Crum, struggled to find consistency throughout the game. He finished 19-of-34 for 216 yards and one interception. While Ottawa’s star receiver Justin Hardy was out with an ankle injury, Masoli failed to get his remaining targets into a rhythm, and the Redblacks’ offence sputtered as a result.
Though Crum took a few reps, the bulk of the responsibility fell on Masoli, who couldn’t break down Montreal’s formidable defence. His lone turnover came in the fourth quarter when he overthrew his intended receiver, allowing Sutton to intercept the ball deep in Montreal territory.
“We got to correct things that we’ve had errors with, but look forward to the opportunity that we have,” Dyce said. “It’s a short week. We go into Toronto and take care of our business.”
Ward Sets Record, but Ottawa Falls Short
On a positive note for Ottawa, kicker Lewis Ward continued his strong season by going 4-for-4 on field goals, setting a new single-season career high with 52 made kicks. Despite his impressive performance, Ward’s efforts were overshadowed by the Redblacks’ inability to finish drives with touchdowns, a recurring theme that has plagued them in recent weeks.
Ward’s kicks kept Ottawa in the game, and with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, his 25-yard boot brought the Redblacks within one score at 19-12. However, after getting the ball back in the final minutes, Ottawa’s drive stalled, and Montreal’s defence forced a turnover on downs with just 45 seconds left, sealing the victory.
Looking Ahead
The Alouettes now head into the final stretch of the season riding high, with a 12-3-1 record and a defence that has cemented itself as one of the best in the league. With their sights set on postseason success, Montreal will face the BC Lions in Vancouver next Saturday, looking to maintain their momentum as the playoffs approach.
Meanwhile, Ottawa faces a crucial matchup against the East-leading Toronto Argonauts. With second place in the division still up for grabs, the Redblacks will need to correct their mistakes quickly if they hope to avoid a road playoff game. The Redblacks’ fourth straight loss has placed added pressure on this Saturday’s showdown in Toronto.
Final Thoughts
Monday’s game showcased the contrasting fortunes of two teams heading in different directions. The Alouettes, led by a defence that allowed no touchdowns, are playing their best football at the right time of year, while the Redblacks’ offensive inconsistency and lack of discipline continue to cost them games.
With José Matlos providing the steady kicking and Wesley Sutton making game-changing defensive plays, Montreal showed they have all the ingredients of a championship contender. For Ottawa, it’s back to the drawing board as they face an uphill battle to regain their form ahead of the playoffs. If the Redblacks want to salvage their season, they’ll need to clean up their mistakes and find a way to score touchdowns when it counts.
As the CFL regular season winds down, both teams are fighting for different stakes: Montreal looks to clinch a high seed and carry their momentum into the postseason, while Ottawa will be battling just to avoid a road playoff game. One thing is certain: the race to the Grey Cup is heating up, and Monday’s Thanksgiving clash was just a taste of the drama that’s still to come.
