Resilient Alouettes come from behind to defeat Calgary Stampeders

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We’re not exactly sure how the Alouettes keep winning games. Nonetheless, they continue finding ways. That’s what good teams accomplish. And on this night, they were determined not to lose.

Canadian Tyson Philpot wasn’t going to permit Montreal to lose for the first time this season, almost single-handedly carrying the team on his shoulders. He led all receivers with 12 catches for 134 yards. That included five receptions in the fourth quarter alone — one for 39 yards and another that produced a 24-yard gain.

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“It’s just the belief in each other,” Philpot said following the Als’ electrifying come-from-behind 30-26 victory over the Calgary Stampeders Saturday night at Molson Stadium before 20,652 spectators, all of whom received their money’s worth. “We have that belief, week in and week out. We trust everybody to make a play.”

Through three quarters it appeared the Als were headed for their first defeat this season, trailing 26-15. Somehow, a team that seemed stumped, both on offence and defence, found the resolve to get the job done on both sides of the ball, outscoring the visitors 15-0 over the final period.

“We talk about finishing the game,” said Philpot, who has now caught 40 passes for 564 yards and, in his third season with Montreal, has already surpassed his career-high in yards with 13 regular-season games remaining. “No matter how we start, we’ve got to finish. Once they blow that final whistle, that’s when it really matters. We have that belief, no matter how much time’s on the clock, we’re going to make a play. And that’s what we did.”

Tailback Walter Fletcher wasn’t going to permit Montreal to lose for the first time this season, either. A regular starter in the Als’ backfield for the first time in three seasons, Fletcher caught nine passes for 104 yards, adding 56 yards rushing on five carries. That included a 31-yard touchdown run for the winning margin with 63 seconds remaining in regulation time, capping a brilliant five-play, 90-yard drive that began with 2:25 remaining.

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Fletcher scored a touchdown on a similar play earlier this season, at Edmonton.

“That’s the beauty about this team: we don’t flinch or care about the mistakes, the turnovers and we stay together,” Fletcher said. “It came together in the fourth and we made it happen. It’s chemistry and cohesion on the field, and it shows.

“Any time I touch the ball, I try to make a play. It was great having the crowd behind us. It got really loud in the fourth quarter. I felt like it affected Calgary, especially when we got that last touchdown. I felt like it played a part. That’s the beauty of having a home game.”

The Als became the first CFL team to reach five victories this season and haven’t lost since Sept. 15. Counting playoffs and their Grey Cup win, the Als are on a 13-game winning streak. Montreal is taking a stranglehold on the East Division, six points ahead of Toronto and Ottawa, with victories against both teams.

The Stamps, who may have played too conservatively in the fourth quarter, are now 2-2.

Montreal didn’t score on its first offensive possession, which has become its habit, but did find the end zone on its second series — Cody Fajardo passing five yards to Kaion Julien-Grant. But the visitors responded immediately, short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens scoring on a one-yard run after gaining 39 yards three plays earlier on a third-down gamble.

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Calgary would add two more first-half touchdowns — Stevens again scoring on a short run before Jake Maier passed six yards to Reggie Begelton — increasing its lead to 23-9. At one point in the third quarter, the Stamps held a 26-12 advantage and appeared in complete control.

Defensively, the Als appeared confused, unable to stop the run. Indeed, of Calgary’s 278 yards net offence, 148 came along the ground. Tailback Peyton Logan gained 65 yards on six carries, including one run of 42 yards.

The Stamps had a good offensive strategy, staying away from the Als’ best defensive players: Darnell Sankey, Tyrice Beverette and Mustafa Johnson. Montreal also struggled generating pressure without veteran rush-end Shawn Lemon, suspended at least three games this month for wagering on league games in 2021, including one in which he played.

It also didn’t help when hard-hitting safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy left in the first half with an apparent shoulder injury. He was seen on the sideline with his arm in a sling, although it had been jettisoned post-game when he left the stadium. The Als used both Najee Murray and Titus Wall at safety, while rookie linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku received regular playing time following Dequoy’s injury, as bodies were being shifted.

“Through those first three quarters we almost shot ourselves in the foot. It wasn’t the best football we’ve ever played,” Murray said. “By the fourth quarter, we got the crowd behind us. We fed off that energy and started playing Alouettes football.”

Fajardo completed 35 of 42 passes for 374 yards and also found Cole Spieker for a 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, beginning the comeback. But Fajardo also threw two interceptions. Jose Maltos, a late replacement for the injured David Côté, kicked three field goals, the longest from 30 yards.

The Als entertain Toronto on Thursday.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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