MONTREAL — The league-leading Montreal Alouettes rallied in the second half to defeat the B.C. Lions 37-30 in front of 22,752 fans at Percival Molson Stadium on Friday night.
The Alouettes outscored the Lions 30-18 in the final two quarters to secure the CFL victory, their seventh in as many outings at home this season.
The win also allowed Montreal (10-2) to become the first team to clinch a playoff berth. The Alouettes are also assured of hosting a post-season game this fall thanks to the victory.
Davis Alexander completed 25 of his 34 throws for 297 yards. Alexander also recorded his 25th touchdown pass of the season, breaking a tie with Toronto’s Chad Kelly for the most in the CFL this season.
Tyler Snead scored a pair of touchdowns for the Alouettes. The Raleigh, N.C., native also surpassed his single-season career-high in receiving yards in the win.
B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke was 31-for-45 in the loss. The 28-year-old also accumulated 375 yards, while throwing a pair of touchdowns and a costly interception.
Justin McInnis led the way offensively for the Lions, scoring a touchdown on 100 receiving yards. Fellow receiver Jermaine Jackson also found the end zone.
Jose Maltos Diaz was successful on all three of his field goal attempts for Montreal, while Sean Whyte of the Lions made five field goals.
The Lions (6-6) saw their five-game winning streak snapped. It also marked the most points allowed by B.C. since June 27.
It took less than three minutes for the Alouettes to open the scoring. Alexander completed passes to five different receivers on the opening drive, capping it with a seven-yard touchdown to Snead.
The touchdown was Snead’s league-leading 10th of the season.
After a 39-yard Whyte field goal, Alexander responded by marching Montreal 69 yards to the B.C. one-yard line.
The drive would prove futile, however, as short-yardage quarterback Terry Wilson was stopped on three consecutive quarterback sneaks, resulting in a turnover on downs.
The missed opportunity proved costly. Whyte’s 27-yard field goal on the ensuing possession cut the deficit to a single point.
Aside from Whyte’s 49- and 45-yard field goals late in the second quarter, both offences stalled. Montreal failed to record a first down on any of its five second-quarter possessions, while Alexander followed an 11-for-11 start by completing just two of his final eight first-half passes.
To make matters works, running back Travis Theis also exited with an injury and did not return, with rookie Liam Talbot taking over.
Neither team recorded a first down on its opening third-quarter possession before Diaz ended Montreal’s scoring drought with a field goal.
B.C. answered three minutes later when Rourke connected with McInnis for a 35-yard touchdown, giving the Lions a 19-10 lead.
Alexander quickly led the Alouettes back, highlighted by Tyson Philpot’s 45-yard catch, before Talbot scored his first CFL touchdown on a six-yard run.
After a 48-yard Diaz field goal restored Montreal’s lead, linebacker Tyrice Beverette intercepted Rourke and returned it 57 yards for his first CFL touchdown.
Whyte’s fifth field goal cut the deficit to five in the fourth quarter, but Snead quickly scored on his second touchdown reception of the night.
While the Lions would pull closer thanks to Jermaine Jackson’s late touchdown, their comeback attempt proved to be too little too late.
Montreal beat B.C. for the first time in four years, with the Als’ last win against the Lions having come on Sept. 9, 2022.
UP NEXT
Lions: Host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Alouettes: Visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday, Sept. 12.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2026.
Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press
