ALOUETTES UPSET REDBLACKS 21-11

OTTAWA - The Montreal Alouettes may have finally found their quarterback as Antonio Pipkin led his team to a 21-11 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.

Pipkin was 18 for 27 for 242 yards in the air and rushed for a touchdown as Montreal avoided a season sweep by the Redblacks (6-4), who won the first two contests. The 23-year-old was also picked off twice.

The victory marked the Alouettes' (3-8) first two-game winning streak since Oct. 30, 2016 and first divisional road victory since Nov. 5, 2016.

Ottawa's Trevor Harris seemed to struggle to find a rhythm and finished the night 24 for 44 for 248 yards and an interception.

Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward went 3 for 3 to extend his consecutive field goal streak to 27.

Leading 10-7, Pipkin finally managed to take the the Alouettes into the end zone after an eight-play drive culminated with him punching in a one-yard touchdown. Montreal led 17-7 with just over one minute remaining in the third quarter and picked up a single on the ensuing kickoff to take an 11-point lead.

Ottawa closed the gap on a 35-yard field goal and picked up a single on a Richie Leone punt, but a 14-yard Montreal field goal gave the Alouettes some breathing room, leading 21-11 with five minutes remaining.

Three straight Alouette penalties moved the Redblacks to the three-yard line with just over two minutes remaining, but they were unable to capitalize to the frustration of the 25,132 on hand at TD Place.

The turning point for Ottawa came early in the second half when the Redblacks got into scoring territory as Jonathan Rose picked off Pipkin at the Montreal 30. Ottawa appeared to tie the game on a six-yard touchdown pass to Brad Sinopoli, but the call on the field was overturned and Ottawa was forced to settle for a field goal as Lewis Ward kicked his 26th consecutive to leave Ottawa trailing 10-7 early in the second half.

The first half was all about the kickers as Montreal led 9-4 thanks to three field goals from Boris Bede.

Ottawa replied with a 40-yard field goal and a single by Leone.

Ottawa had a scary moment late in the second quarter when Sinopoli struggled to get up and appeared to limp off the field, but the veteran receiver managed to return for the second half.

The Redblacks head to B.C to take on the Lions next Friday, while Montreal will enjoy a bye week.

(Canadian Press)

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