Als defence force six turnovers in win over Ticats

HAMILTON -- The Montreal Alouettes defence bounced back in a big way as they forced six turnovers and stymied the Hamilton Tiger-Cats offence for most of the game in a 37-25 victory Friday night at Hamilton Stadium.

Alouettes' defensive lineman Lwal Uguak got a first quarter interception. After three straight weeks where the defence gave up 30-plus points, the Als' defence got off to a strong start. The Ticats' defence would respond as Miles Fox got a massive second down sack to push the Als back and force a 49-yard field goal attempt to close out the first quarter. Jose Maltos Diaz would convert the kick, into the wind, to extend the Alouettes' lead to 10.

The Als' defence would continue to hound the Tabbies, as Nate Beauchemin would get a 57-yard scoop and score in the second quarter to extend the lead to 17. The Alouettes would score 24 straight to start the game before the Ticats got a field goal at the conclusion of the second frame.

Davis Alexander had a relatively quiet, yet efficient night going 21-for-27 through the air. The Alouettes' signal caller had two touchdown passes and threw for 218 yards.

Donny Ventrelli the versatile offensive lineman lined up in the tight end position and hauled in the first touchdown of the game. A nine-yard toss from Alexander found Ventrelli all alone in the end zone for his second career touchdown catch. Tyson Philpot added to his CFL receiving touchdown lead hauling in his 12th receiving score of the season. The Canadian wideout brought in six of seven targets for 57 yards and a score.

Stevie Scott III rushed 21 times for 108 yards and brought in one reception for six yards in the absence of Travis Theis.

Lorenzo Burns hauled in a third quarter interception to end a promising drive by the Ticats and Gemon Green and Beauchemin would cap off a solid night by the Als' defence with two late fourth quarter interceptions. Green registered his first career interception.

Harrison Frost aired it out going 33-for-50 for 333 yards in a pass heavy game script. The Ticats' signal caller had three touchdown tosses and four interceptions. Frost spread the ball around with all six Hamilton receivers registering 25-plus yards as Frost recorded his first game of over 300 yards passing and three touchdown passes.

Kiondre Smith, Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and Keric Wheatfall were the three recipients of the Frost passing touchdowns. Smith was the game's leading receiver bringing in six of 10 targets for 99 yards. Gittens Jr. was the top volume target for Frost as the Canadian receiver was targeted 13 times bringing in nine of those throws for 72 yards. Wheatfall caught five of his six targets for 60 yards.

Larry Rountree III made his return to the Ticats lineup and rushed six times for 34 yards. The Tabbies' running back was also involved in the passing game hauling in all five of his targets for 25 yards.

Alexander improved to 5-0 as a starter against the Black and Gold and the Als have won all three matchups this season.

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SCORING PLAYS

• Davis Alexander nine-yard touchdown pass to Donny Ventrelli (04:55, Q1) | MTL 7 HAM 0

• Jose Maltos Diaz 49-yard field goal (00:00, Q1) | MTL 10 HAM 0

• Nate Beauchemin 57-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown (09:01, Q2) | MTL 17 HAM 0

• Davis Alexander 12-yard touchdown pass to Tyson Philpot (01:06, Q2) | MTL 24 HAM 0

• Marc Liegghio 13-yard field goal (00:00, Q2) | MTL 24 HAM 3

• Jose Maltos Diaz 21-yard field goal (11:22, Q3) | MTL 27 HAM 3

• Caleb Evans two-yard rushing touchdown (13:19, Q4) | MTL 34 HAM 3

• Harrison Frost 33-yard touchdown pass to Kiondre Smith (10:12, Q4) | MTL 34 HAM 9

• Harrison Frost three-yard touchdown pass to Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Kenny Lawler two-point convert (05:15, Q4) | MTL 34 HAM 17

• Harrison Frost 18-yard touchdown pass to Keric Wheatfall, Kiondre Smith two-point convert (01:59, Q4) | MTL 34 HAM 25

• Jose Maltos Diaz 33-yard field goal (00:22, Q4) | MTL 37 HAM 25

NEXT UP

The Montreal Alouettes head into a Week 17 bye, before they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in La Belle Province in Week 18. The Bombers lead the season series, beating the East leading Als 44-28 in Week 13 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats head west in Week 17 to take on the West leading Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium. This will be the first matchup between the two teams this year as the Ticats continue their hunt for a playoff spot while the Elks push for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.