Tyson Philpot sets three records as Alouettes clinch East Division

MONTREAL — Tyson Philpot broke three receiving records as the Montreal Alouettes clinched the East Division title with a 37-10 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday.

"Every night I went to sleep, I envisioned this moment," said Philpot, who finished with 11 catches for a season-high 207 yards.

The win, coupled with the Toronto Argonauts' loss to B.C., secured the top spot for Montreal (12-3) and a bye straight into the Eastern Final on Nov. 7.

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Philpot's 46-yard catch late in the second quarter broke Terry Evanshen's 1967 single-season record of 1,662 receiving yards by a Canadian. The same reception was his 113th of the year, setting a new Alouettes franchise record.

His ninth catch of the night later in the third quarter moved him past Brad Sinopoli for the most receptions by a Canadian in a single CFL season.

"I remember being six years old tackling my brother in the backyard, envisioning being one of the best ever," Philpot said. "Just to be in the conversation of having the most catches in Alouettes history is really a dream come true."

Quarterback Davis Alexander threw for 440 yards and a touchdown in his first career win against Winnipeg. Caleb Evans scored two one-yard rushing touchdowns and Stevie Scott III added another.

Montreal opened the scoring on its first drive with a 52-yard Alexander pass to Philpot, followed by a touchdown pass to Rohan Jones.

Winnipeg's Dru Brown, starting for the injured Zach Collaros, tied the game with a 52-yard touchdown pass to Ontaria Wilson. The Blue Bombers (7-8) then managed only a field goal the rest of the way.

"They beat us pretty good," said Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea. "Philpot makes some great catches, balls were delivered well and he comes up with contested catches."

The Alouettes improved to a perfect 8-0 at home and snapped a four-game regular-season losing streak against Winnipeg.

"We said, by the end of the week, there could be an opportunity for us to finish the week in first place, which is a box you want to check," said Alouettes head coach Jason Maas.

Philpot said the team's focus remains on a larger prize. "The job is not done," he said. "Our goal is win a Grey Cup and we won't stop until we do that."

Up next: Montreal hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Oct. 12.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Sportsnet