Alexander passes for 5,000 yards, five TDs as Alouettes rout Roughriders
The Montreal quarterback threw for 403 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-24 victory to finish the regular season undefeated at home.
MONTREAL — Davis Alexander eclipsed 5,000 passing yards on the season and threw for five touchdowns as the Montreal Alouettes rolled past the Saskatchewan Roughriders 44-24 in the CFL's Thanksgiving Day Classic on Monday afternoon.
Alexander joined Anthony Calvillo as the only quarterbacks in Alouettes history to reach the 5,000-yard mark.
The 27-year-old threw for 403 yards on 26-of-33 completions and also rushed for 40 yards as Montreal (13-3) finished undefeated at home in the regular season for the third time.
READ MORE: Horvath's three touchdowns lead Lions to decisive 48-29 win over Alouettes
READ MORE: Stampeders defeat Redblacks 45-31, extend Ottawa's winless season to 0-14
“It’s definitely an honour and a privilege,” said Alexander. “The important part is just finding a way to get a win, having our fans enjoy the game and getting ready for the playoffs.”
After a back-and-forth first half, Montreal pulled ahead with a pair of massive touchdown receptions early in the third quarter.
CFL receiving-yards leader Tyson Philpot gave the Alouettes a 24-16 lead with a spectacular catch six minutes into the second half, diving into the end zone to haul down Alexander's 46-yard bomb.
On Montreal's next possession, Alexander dodged multiple tackles before launching a 51-yard pass up the middle to Charleston Rambo, giving the Alouettes a 31-16 advantage.
The Alouettes extended that lead four minutes into the fourth quarter when Alexander hit Tyler Snead for his second touchdown on a five-yard throw.
Montreal linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku then picked off Saskatchewan quarterback Travis Harris and returned the ball 32 yards to set up a field goal.
Harris found Kian Schaffer-Baker on a 14-yard pass to trim the lead to 41-24 with 2:31 remaining, but the Riders (8-8) dropped their fourth consecutive game.
Harris also hit the 5,000-yard mark for the second time of his career, finishing with two touchdowns, one interception and 243 yards on 23-for-33 passing in the rematch of last year's Grey Cup game.
Schaffer-Baker caught two touchdowns.
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas attributed the team's perfect home record to Montreal's passionate fanbase.
“It’s a big shout-out to our fans because I think they make it extremely hard and difficult for opposing teams to come in here and play,” said Maas.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Saskatchewan remained tied for third with Winnipeg (8-8) and Calgary (8-9) at 16 points.
Both the Blue Bombers and Stampeders hold the season-series tiebreaker over the Riders, but four West teams will make the playoffs via the CFL's crossover rule.
Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said his team still controls its own fate.
“You’ve got three games left in the season. If you win each one, you’re putting yourself in good (position),” Mace said.
Jerreth Sterns added eight receptions for 124 yards for Montreal, while Rambo and Snead made two touchdown catches apiece before a sellout of 23,035 at Molson Stadium.
Montreal, which clinched first place in the East Division last week, returns home to host the Eastern final on Nov. 7.
Up next: The Alouettes and Roughriders square off again Saturday at Regina's Mosaic Stadium.
With files from CBC News and The Globe and Mail