{"id":885436,"date":"2026-09-06T10:46:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T10:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/885436\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T10:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T10:46:24","slug":"alouettes-rally-in-second-half-to-beat-lions-37-30-clinch-playoff-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/885436\/","title":{"rendered":"Alouettes\u00a0rally in second half to beat Lions 37-30,\u00a0clinch\u00a0playoff spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

For nearly 30 minutes Friday night, the Montreal\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0looked nothing like one of the CFL\u2019s highest-scoring offences.<\/p>\n

After marching effortlessly down the field on their opening possession, Montreal watched a goal-line stand sap its momentum.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0also failed to record a single first down on five second-quarter drives, quarterback Davis Alexander misfired on throws he normally completes with ease, and a 12-7 halftime deficit led to growing frustration for the home team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think anybody was happy going into halftime,\u201d said\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0head coach Jason Maas. \u201cAs good as our defence was playing, they still were pissed off. Offensively, we said we needed to wake the hell up because we had a great two drives and after that, it was not to our standard.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0(10-2) responded with one of their better second halves of the season, outscoring the B.C. Lions 30-18 en route to a 37-30 victory before 22,752 fans at Percival Molson Stadium.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep playing ball here,\u201d said Alexander. \u201cWe were able to execute some huge short yardages throughout the game after that. It speaks to our group. We were able to bounce back. It was beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexander finished 25-for-34 for 297 yards and a touchdown. The 27-year-old\u2019s 25th touchdown throw of the season moved him ahead of Toronto\u2019s Chad Kelly for the CFL lead.<\/p>\n

Tyler Snead collected both a receiving and rushing touchdown in the win. The Raleigh, N.C., native\u2019s 69 receiving yards in the game also allowed him to surpass his single-season high of 1,129 yards he set last year.<\/p>\n

After neither team generated a first down on its opening drive of the second half, Jose Maltos Diaz kicked a field goal before Rourke found Justin McInnis for a 35-yard touchdown that put B.C. ahead 19-10.<\/p>\n

Instead of pressing further, Montreal finally settled down.<\/p>\n

Alexander answered with a drive highlighted by Tyson Philpot\u2019s 45-yard reception that culminated in rookie Liam Talbot punching in his first CFL touchdown.<\/p>\n

Moments after another Montreal field goal restored the lead, the\u00a0Alouettes\u2019 defence completely swung the game.<\/p>\n

Linebacker Tyrice Beverette intercepted Rourke and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown, giving the\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0control for good.<\/p>\n

\u201cThird quarter, we turned everything around and it started with our defence,\u201d Maas said. \u201cOur defence made those two tremendous stops. We get the pick-six on top of it and then the offence woke up and started to make some plays.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the\u00a0Alouettes\u2019 resilience, however, that particularly pleased Maas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took some mental toughness coming out of halftime to turn it around, us sticking together and believing,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s the hallmark of this team. It\u2019s a team that believes in each other and plays for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

For B.C. (6-6), the loss snapped a five-game winning streak despite another productive night from Rourke, who threw for 375 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n

The Lions quarterback pointed to his lone interception \u2014 the Beverette pick-six \u2014 as the game\u2019s turning point.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe turnover was the big moment in the game,\u201d Rourke said. \u201cRight now, I\u2019m looking at the score and feeling like that\u2019s on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lions head coach Buck Pierce credited Montreal\u2019s play as a catalyst behind them earning their seventh victory in as many home games this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to give credit to Montreal,\u201d Pierce said. \u201cThey made the plays when they had to and we didn\u2019t execute the way we needed to in critical times.\u201d<\/p>\n

The win allowed Montreal to\u00a0clinch\u00a0the CFL\u2019s first playoff berth this season and guaranteed the\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0a home playoff game.<\/p>\n

The victory also carried added significance for Montreal as they defeated B.C. for the first time since 2022 after six consecutive losses against their West Division opponent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked about it at the beginning of the week,\u201d Maas said. \u201cIt\u2019s about time we check that box. We\u2019re sick and tired of that happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0will have a chance to run their winning streak against the Lions to two straight games as soon as Sept. 12 when the teams meet again, this time in Vancouver.<\/p>\n

UP NEXT<\/p>\n

Lions: Host the Montreal\u00a0Alouettes\u00a0on Saturday, Sept. 12.<\/p>\n

Alouettes: Visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday, Sept. 12.<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Montreal as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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