Argonauts atop East with 33-19 win against Alouettes

Alec Gearty

Argonauts atop East with 33-19 win against Alouettes image

The Kavis Reed era in Montreal is failing to get off to an ideal start. 

Reed replaced ex-head coach Jacques Chapdelaine Sept. 13. Since succeeding Chapdelaine, Reed and the Montreal Alouettes remain winless, a streak that continued on Saturday when the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Alouettes, 33-19

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Montreal has lost its past six games and quarterback Darian Durant has been ineffective, throwing four touchdowns over the six game span. Durant continued to struggle this week, throwing two interceptions, including one that Alden Darby returned for a 75-yard touchdown. While the Alouettes faced a 26-0 deficit at halftime, Reed came out for the second half and said he would not make a change at quarterback. Durant finished his night with 231 yards but failed to throw a touchdown against three interceptions. 

Alouettes' running back Tyrell Sutton carried the bulk of Montreal's offensive load and ran for 105 yards, and its lone touchdown.  

Argos quarterback Ricky Ray had an effective night in Toronto. Ray threw for 182 yards. Ray connected for his one touchdown of the game in the closing seconds of the first half, when he found  wide receiver S.J. Green from 16 yards out, pushing Toronto's lead to 26-3.

With the win, the Argonauts overtook the Ottawa Redblacks for first place in the East Division.

Running Wilder

The legend of James Wilder Jr. continues to grow with each passing game.

A week ago, Wilder Jr. recorded his first career 100-yard game, coming in the 25-year-old rookie's 11th appearance. Wilder Jr. has emerged as a legitimate threat in the Argos' offense and has taken advantage of the void left by Brandon Whitaker's absence due to injury .

In his encore performance following reaching the benchmark, Wilder Jr. ran for 141 yards and one touchdown on Saturday, while adding 77 receiving yards. Wilder Jr. has become quarterback Ricky Ray's safety net. When the Alouettes' scored to cut into the Argos lead, 26-11, the Argos opened their next drive by handing the ball of to Wilder Jr. And 85 yards later, the Alouettes momentum had been stopped dead in its tracks. It was the longest run by an Argo in 41 years.

Nik Lewis set for MRI

The loss in the standings may not be the only one felt by the Alouettes from Saturday. On Durant's second interception of the game, wide receiver Nik Lewis hobbled off to the sidelines. 

Lewis, who injured his right leg on the play, did not return, and will have an MRI on Sunday, according to TSN.

The 35-year-old wideout made history earlier in the game by moving into fifth place on the CFL all-time receiving yards list, passing Terry Vaughn.

Alec Gearty