Montreal Remains Atop CFL With Hard Fought Win Over Saskatchewan

The Montreal Alouettes withstood a tough challenge from the Saskatchewan Roughriders to win their 7th game of the season by a 34-25 margin. Als rookie QB Chris Leak scored the winning points, flawlessly converting on a third down goal line situation that also happened to be the first play of his CFL career.

After the game, Leak recounted his high pressure introduction to CFL football:

\”It\’s a about trust – that\’s the number one thing. I\’m just happy for the opportunity to earn the trust of the coaches and my teammates.\”

The Alouettes swept the season series from Saskatchewan, having won 43-10 in Regina in early July. Saskatchewan has only won twice in their past eleven trips to Montreal, and will have to wait until next season to try and gain a measure of redemption.

The Roughriders held the edge in most of the statistical categories, but were undone by turnovers and a failure to cash in on drives deep into Als territory. Riders coach Ken Miller said in his postgame comments that there was plenty of responsibility to go around:

\”It\’s a team game and the fault doesn\’t lie with any individual. Darian played probably his best. He turned the ball over three times, but he made plays with his feet and was a leader for us. I\’m really proud of the way the men battled, but our team still needs to be tuned up some.\”

On the positive side, the Roughriders sacked Alouettes QB Anthony Calvillo four times and moved the ball well on offense. Wide receiver Weston Dressler, who caught eight passes for 179 yards and after the game focused on the positives:

\”We were in it until the end. I think we showed we can complete with the best team in the league and I think we just have to keep working at it. We\’re really close to being a great football team.\”

Both teams will enjoy a bye next weekend, with Montreal returning to action on Friday, September 4th as they travel to Vancouver to play the BC Lions. The two teams will rematch at Montreals Molson Stadium the following week. Saskatchewan will return to action on Sunday, September 6th as they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.