Argonauts Upset Alouettes 37-18, Fajardo Injured

Star Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo exited with an injury as the Toronto Argonauts snapped Montreal’s unbeaten run with a 37-18 victory Thursday.

Janarion Grant sparked Toronto (3-2) with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the dying moments of the first half as the Argos handed the reigning Grey Cup champions their first loss this season. It was the third-longest kick return in Argos history.

Cameron Dukes threw 131 yards with one TD pass on 16-for-20 completions for Toronto, which entered the game at Molson Stadium on a two-game losing skid that started with a 30-20 defeat to the Alouettes on June 28.

Montreal (5-1) lost its first game since falling to Toronto on Sept. 15 last season, ending a club-record 13-game run including playoffs and the Grey Cup.

Fajardo left at the end of the first quarter, holding his hamstring after throwing an incomplete pass before heading to the locker room. The Grey Cup MVP was hurried five times, hit twice and sacked twice before exiting.

Caleb Evans took over for the last three quarters, going 12-of-22 for 127 passing yards, two TD passes and two interceptions.

The Alouettes were coming off a five-day break after beating the Calgary Stampeders 30-26 on Saturday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0), who visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday, are now the only remaining undefeated CFL team this season.

Alouettes kicker Jose Maltos, replacing injured starter David Cote, went 1-for-2 on field goals, including a 50-yarder. He also scored a rouge on a missed attempt from 38 yards. Toronto’s Lirim Hajrullahu was 3-for-3.

NOTES: Alouettes safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy missed the game with a shoulder injury, with Bryce Cosby replacing him in the starting lineup. Dequoy was a game-time decision after leaving last week’s win against Calgary. … Montreal receiver Kaion Julien-Grant was a late scratch. … Earlier Thursday, Argos and Toronto FC president Bill Manning and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment parted ways by mutual decision. Argos GM Michael Clemons will report directly to MLSE president and chief executive Keith Pelley.

UP NEXT

Alouettes: Host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 25 after a bye week.

Argos: Visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 20.

(Canadian Press)