OTTAWA — José Maltos made five field goals, including one from 42 yards on the final play of the game, to give the Montreal Alouettes a 22-21 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks in the first preseason game for both CFL teams on Friday.
OTTAWA — José Maltos made five field goals, including one from 42 yards on the final play of the game, to give the Montreal Alouettes a 22-21 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks in the first preseason game for both CFL teams on Friday.
The Alouettes scored 10 points in the final two minutes to earn the win, including Davis Alexander’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Quertney Davis at 13:08. After Maltos’ conversion, the Redblacks’ lead was cut to 21-19.
Lewis Ward kicked four field goals for the Redblacks, but also missed a conversion on the first touchdown of the game.
Daniel Oladejo had the first touchdown of the game and it came at 6:02 of the fourth quarter giving the Redblacks an 18-12 lead. The game had featured eight field goals before that, four from each side, but Ward missed the extra point in the major.
Pointer Richie Leone also kicked a 12-yard field goal for the Redblacks with two minutes left for a 21-12 lead.
Oladejo caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tyrie Adams, who came on in relief of starting quarterback Nick Arbuckle in the third quarter.
The Alouettes started with former Redblack Caleb Evans, but Alexander and Mike Glass also took plays behind center.
The first three quarters were all field goals as Ward outscored Maltos 12-6.
The game opened with a 16-yard kickoff return by Devonte Dedmon and the opening drive ended with a 47-yard field goal by Ward at 8:21.
After the Alouettes finished with two and out, the Redblacks took their next possession downfield, but the drive stalled and they settled for a 35-yard field goal by Ward.
The same scene played out as the Alouettes once again failed to gain a first down and after taking over, the Redblacks couldn’t get to the end zone, but did get a 51-yard field goal by Ward on the last play of the game. first quarter. .
The Alouettes finally generated some offense in the second quarter as their opening drive ended with a 19-yard field goal by Maltos at 6:02 and the Redblacks’ lead was cut to 12–3.
The Alouettes, more specifically Maltos, tied the game 12-12 before the end of the third quarter with a pair of field goals. The first was a 42-yard kick at 8:47, then the game-tying 33-yard kick came with just 54 seconds remaining in the quarter.
The teams will meet in Montreal on June 10 to open the regular season, but before that, the Redblacks will complete their preseason on Thursday against the Toronto Argonauts when they meet in Guelph, Ontario. The Alouettes host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 26, 2023.
Darren Desaulniers, The Canadian Press
