ESKIMOS CLINCH FIRST, BEAT ALOUETTES 40-22
EDMONTON – Derel Walker reeled in three touchdown passes as the Edmonton Eskimos secured first place overall in the CFL and a bye before hosting the West Division final with a 40-22 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday.
The Eskimos (14-4) finished off regular season play with eight consecutive wins, the first time they have done so in 33 years.
With a bye in the final week of the regular season, the Eskimos won’t return to action until Nov. 22.
The Alouettes (6-11) were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. It ended a run of 19 straight playoff appearances, the second-longest in CFL history.
Edmonton scored on its first two possessions, getting a 32-yard field goal from Sean Whyte before quarterback Mike Reilly found Walker for a six-yard touchdown pass. Walker passed 1,000 yards receiving earlier in the opening quarter and would go on to set a new rookie record for receptions.
The Alouettes responded early in the second quarter to make it 10-7 as quarterback Kevin Glenn completed a four-yard touchdown pass to B.J. Cunningham.
(The Canadian Press)
