TURKEY: Alouettes 44 Roughriders 24

MONTREAL –– The Montreal Alouettes delivered a dominant second-half performance to defeat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 44-24 in Monday’s CFL Thanksgiving Day Classic, as quarterback Davis Alexander threw five touchdown passes and surpassed 5,000 passing yards for the season.

Montreal improved to 13-3 and completed a perfect 9-0 regular season at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Saskatchewan fell to 8-8, dropping its fourth consecutive game at a critical point in the Western Division playoff race.

Alexander completed 26 of 33 passes for 403 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 40 yards, turning in the most prolific touchdown-passing performance of his career.

Jerreth Sterns led Montreal with eight receptions for 124 yards, while Charleston Rambo and Tyler Snead each caught two touchdown passes. Tyson Philpot added a spectacular long-distance scoring reception as the Alouettes pulled away after a competitive first half.

Alexander takes control after halftime

The Roughriders held their own through much of the opening half, despite Alexander’s early interception by Saskatchewan defensive back Marcus Sayles. Montreal responded with a touchdown drive, and Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris connected with Kian Schaffer-Baker on a 27-yard scoring pass to give the Riders a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Alexander answered with a 45-yard touchdown strike to Rambo early in the second quarter. Saskatchewan stayed within striking distance, and Brett Lauther’s 51-yard field goal early in the third quarter brought the Riders to within 17-16.

That was as close as Saskatchewan would get.

Alexander found Philpot for a 46-yard touchdown, then hit Rambo for another 51-yard major on Montreal’s next possession. The back-to-back explosive plays pushed the Alouettes’ lead to 31-16 and changed the complexion of the game.

Montreal extended its advantage in the fourth quarter when Alexander connected with Snead for his fifth touchdown pass. Geoffrey Cantin-Arku subsequently intercepted Harris and returned the ball 32 yards, setting up another Alouettes field goal.

Harris and Schaffer-Baker connected for their second touchdown of the afternoon late in the game, but Saskatchewan’s comeback hopes had already faded.

Harris reaches milestone in difficult loss

Harris finished 23-of-33 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also surpassed 5,000 passing yards for the season, joining Alexander in reaching the milestone on the same afternoon.

Schaffer-Baker caught both of Saskatchewan’s touchdown passes, while running back A.J. Ouellette contributed 77 rushing yards on 11 carries. Lauther made all three of his field-goal attempts, including the 51-yarder.

However, Saskatchewan’s fourth straight defeat leaves the defending Grey Cup champions in a precarious position with two regular-season games remaining. The Riders were tied with Winnipeg at 8-8, while Calgary sat at 8-9, leaving the Western Division playoff race wide open.

The result sets up an immediate rematch: Montreal travels to Regina to face Saskatchewan on Saturday, October 17. The Alouettes will look to complete the regular-season sweep, while the Roughriders desperately need a response to protect their playoff position.