Canadian Football League: Walter Fletcher and the Alouettes achieve their 10th straight win

Walter Fletcher scored two goals back and the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Edmonton Elks 23-20 on Friday for their second win in as many games this season.

It was the 10th straight victory for the Alouettes, who won their final five games of the 2023 regular season, their three playoff games during their Gray Cup win and their first two games of the new season.

This is the first time since 2006 that the Alouettes have won seven straight regular season games.

Against his former team, Fletcher recorded a 46-yard pass and a 39-yard run. He finished the game with total gains of 143 yards, including 82 yards on the ground.

“I'm happy with my performance,” Fletcher said simply. It's always special to play against your old team. We must build on this match with a view to the next match. »

Cole Spiker scored the other key goal for the Alouettes, claiming the Gray Cup title. Cody Fajardo completed 20 of 30 passes for 269 yards and two TDs.

The Alouettes were without defensive back Reggie Stubblefield, receiver Tyler Snead and linebacker Tyrell Richards, who were all injured in a 27-12 win over the Blue Bombers in their preseason opener, June 6 in Winnipeg.

Facing a stout Alouettes defense, the Elks offensive unit led by McLeod Bethel-Thompson took the field without complexes, accumulating a 356-yard gain. The quarterback connected with his teammates 28 times on 42 attempts for 299 yards, and had two interceptions.

Dakota Prokop scored both goals for the Elks on a quarterback sneak.

The Sparrows will begin their season at home on Thursday, when they host Ottawa Rouge et Noir.

“Whether we're home or not, we prepare every week to win. We're excited to be back after two road wins. We can't wait to get back to work,” Alouettes coach Jason Maas said.

Expensive transformations

From their first possession, the Alouettes hit hard. Keon Julian Grant collected a 53rd pass on his way towards the post to put his side on the 27th line.

Julian Grant totaled six catches and 89 yards in the game.

A few plays later, Spiker had a five-yard touchdown run, stretching out to get his hands on the ball. It was his first major of the season.

However, the Elks responded on their next possession when Dakota Prokop had a one-yard scamper at the end of a nine-play, 70-yard line.

David Côté gave the Alouettes the lead again with a 53-yard field goal in the second quarter. Montreal's organization record is a 54-yard punt return by David Ray in 1968.

A former Alouettes player, French kicker Boris Bedie, tied the game with a shot from 48 yards with less than two minutes left in the first half. But Fletcher, taking advantage of several blocks from his teammates, scored a 46-yard touchdown with just over 30 seconds to go.

The runner recorded his first major of the season and second of his career with a pass in the Canadian Football League.

But Beede cut the deficit to four points with another 48-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

After a quiet start to the third quarter, the Elks saw a series of turnovers at the end of the game. Nafees Lyon notably was able to intercept on a Bethel-Thompson count, but a dropped pass by rookie Charleston Rambo and then a sack by the quarterback forced an Alouettes punt.

The visitors got the ball back moments later when Mustafa Johnson forced a turnover on third down and two yards out for the Elks. But the Alouettes were unable to score.

Kabion Ento then dealt a huge blow to the Elks by intercepting a Bethel-Thompson pass near the end zone. Fletcher capped off the possession with a 39-yard run into the end zone.

“It's always nice to start with two wins. Our goal is to focus on the next match. The season is still young and nothing has been decided,” Into recalls.

Prokop pulled one last time with a second offside shot with 33 seconds left, but the Elks missed the short kick when Geoffrey Cantin-Arco grabbed the ball.