”We talked about all of it 12 months, it was going to come back down to 1 play,” mentioned Tyson Philpot, who caught MVP Cody Fajardo’s third TD move after a seven-play, 83-yard drive with lower than two minutes left within the recreation.
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When historical past displays on the Alouettes’ 2023 season and the way this group someway got here collectively towards unimaginable odds, the one factor that will probably be remembered was ‘The Drive,’ and the way an offence that was inconsistent at instances got here by way of on the most important juncture.
The Alouettes are Gray Cup champions as a result of quarterback Cody Fajardo led the staff on a seven-play, 83-yard drive with barely lower than two minutes remaining in regulation time, capped by a 19-yard landing move to receiver Tyson Philpot at 14:37.
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Montreal’s come-from-behind 28-24 victory over the favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers within the CFL championship recreation Sunday night time at Tim Hortons Discipline in Hamilton was the franchise’s eighth title — its first since 2010.
A staff that was with out an proprietor till March and noticed quite a few free brokers depart due to the franchise’s uncertainty, gained its final eight video games following a slim mid-September defeat to Toronto. Within the course of, the Alouettes beat one of the best staff within the East Division — the Argonauts in final weekend’s division last on the street — then surprised the Bombers, first within the West Division with a 14-4 file.
These have been Montreal’s solely two victories towards groups with profitable data.
“We talked about all of it 12 months, it was going to come back down to 1 play,” Philpot, named the sport’s excellent Canadian, mentioned throughout a televised post-game interview from Hamilton. “I discovered one-on-one protection. Cody trusted in me and the remaining is historical past.”
Philpot beat cornerback Demerio Houston, who had a league-leading seven interceptions this season, on the play. It got here instantly after Fajardo related with Cole Spieker for a 31-yard acquire on third-and-five. Philpot, in solely his second CFL season, caught three passes on the drive. After getting sacked for an eight-yard loss, Fajardo ran for 13 yards, making the third-down gamble extra palatable.
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Fajardo, thrown to the scrap heap by Saskatchewan late final season when he was benched, gained his second Gray Cup, however his first as a starter. Though the 31-year-old by no means was anticipated to win the sport by himself, he was named essentially the most invaluable participant after finishing 21 of 26 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Fajardo threw one interception.
“It’s like a film,” Fajardo mentioned in a televised interview from Hamilton. “It’s very emotional for me. The fellows on that sideline have been those who believed in me. Once we took the sector on the finish, I grew up as slightly child wanting the ball in my hand with the sport on the road. I’m simply grateful for that chance.
“Everyone counted us out,” he added. “This staff was so shut collectively. I’ve by no means been nearer to a staff. We knew we had one thing particular. Final week, we knew, beating a really powerful Argos staff, we had an opportunity. I’m so proud. It appears identical to a dream. It’s actually unimaginable.”
There have been quite a few events on Sunday when the Alouettes appeared destined to lose. Winnipeg scored on its opening two possessions, leaping to a 10-0 lead earlier than the primary quarter ended. Montreal tailback William Stanback scored on a 32-yard run on the conclusion of the interval and offered the staff with some life.
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However on the finish of the opening half, and now trailing 17-7, Montreal backup quarterback Caleb Evans twice was stopped from the Winnipeg one-yard line, which may have proved devastating, particularly following questionable play-calling by head coach Jason Maas.
As an alternative, the Alouettes regrouped over the intermission and began the second half impeccably, requiring solely three performs to attain its second landing — a 23-yard move to Spieker following an unimaginable one-handed reception by Austin Mack, who may have been named the MVP after catching six passes for 103 yards, together with a 13-yard landing early within the fourth quarter, offering Montreal with a 21-17 lead.
Montreal’s defence, which carried the staff down the stretch, got here by way of with quite a few large performs once more.
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Rookie cornerback Kabion Ento went excessive in the long run zone to intercept a move meant for Kenny Lawler within the third quarter. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros was sacked 4 instances, whereas the Bombers have been held to seven factors over the second half.
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However when backup Winnipeg quarterback Dakota Prukop scored his second short-yardage landing at 9:32 of the fourth quarter, which gave his staff a 24-21 benefit, Montreal’s mettle was put to the check. And Fajardo and the offence have been up for the problem.
The Alouettes produced a league-low 31 offensive touchdowns this season over 18 video games. Extremely, with a championship on the road, Montreal discovered the top zone 4 instances towards the Bombers, who allowed a league-low 377 factors and solely 27 offensive touchdowns.
“It means every little thing,” Maas mentioned in a televised interview from Hamilton. “I’m so grateful for this group of fellows. That is past my creativeness of what it may very well be like or really feel like. It is a nice staff and I’m very completely happy to be related to it.”
Maas, like Fajardo, had one thing to show after being fired because the Roughriders’ offensive co-ordinator on the finish of final season. A former head coach with Edmonton, this was his first Cup victory as a bench boss.
The Bombers’ opening landing got here on a five-yard run by Canadian tailback Brady Oliveira, who gained 119 yards on 19 carries. Whereas it was Winnipeg’s fourth consecutive Cup look, it additionally marked its second straight defeat.
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