The Montreal Alouettes opened the 2021 CFL season at Commonwealth Stadium Saturday afternoon against the Edmonton Elks.
Edmonton moved the ball to the Alouettes eleven-yard line and stalled, setting up a Sean Whyte field goal that put the Elks up 3-0 in the first quarter. With four seconds left in the first quarter, Montreal quarterback Vernon Adam connected ON a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jake Wieneke for a 7-3 lead.
Edmonton’s offense struggled when they moved to the Alouettes twenty-yard line. They went for it on fourth down and failed to convert. With 5:06 left in the second quarter, Alouettes kicker David Cote kicked a 23-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.
After Edmonton failed to convert on three-downs, they punted to returner Mario Alford. He returned it for 49-yards and an Alouettes touchdown that extended their lead 17-3. With 1:10 left in the second quarter, David Cote kicked a 47-yard field goal for a 20-3 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Edmonton’s defense came through, stopping Montreal’s possessions. With twenty-five seconds left in the third quarter, Elks kicker Sean Whyte booted a 37-yard field goal to make it 20-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Montreal would get the three points back in the fourth quarter with 11:19 left on Cote’s 42-yard field goal for a 23-6 lead. Despite having the game in the back pocket with 6:27 left, Vernon Adams connected to B.J. Cunningham for a 14-yard touchdown 30-6.
With 1:38 left in the game, Edmonton finally scored a touchdown when quarterback Trevor Harris completed an eleven-yard touchdown pass to Shai Ross, now trailing 30-13. However, Montreal got the ball back and took a knee to end the game, and the Alouettes defeated the Elks 30-13.
Montreal quarterback Vernon Adams finished the night 13/21 for 211-yards and two touchdowns. William Stanback led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 112-yards. B.J. Cunningham led the team in receiving yards with five receptions for 86-yards and one touchdown. Montreal defensive end Antonio Simmons led the team with two sacks out of four for the game.
For Edmonton, Trevor Harris finished the night 19/29 for 233-yards and one touchdown. Running back James Wilder led the team in rushing with fifteen carries for 85-yards. Wide Receiver Derel Walker led in receiving yards with five receptions for 76-yards. The defense only got to Vernon Adams one time.
Next week, Edmonton is at BC Place for Thursday Night Football against the Lions at 10 pm on ESPN2. The Alouettes visit the Calgary Stampeders for Friday Night Football at 9:30 pm on ESPN+.
