Third quarter explosion propels Als over Lions on OK Tire Labour Day Weekend

CFL | American Football | 09/06/2026

Tyson Philpot fully extends to make this WILD catch and making the Alouette stadium erupt during this Labour Day Weekend matchup.

MONTREAL — Liam Talbot ran in his first career CFL touchdown and Tyrice Beverette had a pick-six as the Montreal Alouettes exploded for 20 points in the third quarter to come back and topple the BC Lions 37-30 Friday night in La Belle Province.

Davis Alexander and the Alouettes’ offence stormed down the field on the first drive of the game to score a touchdown, but after that the defences took over.

Three straight goal line stops late in the first quarter for the BC defence set the unit on fire. The Leos’ defence would use the momentum, locking up Alexander and the Als’ offence with five straight two-and-outs to end the half. The Lions’ offence would add a field goal after the goal line stand, but could not find paydirt in the first half.

Montreal forced an early two-and-out on BC’s first offensive possession of the second half setting themselves up at the BC 45-yard line. The Lions defence would answer right back though stifling the Als’ attack and forcing a Jose Maltos Diaz field goal to keep the Leos ahead.

A spectacular Tyson Philpot diving catch set up the Als’ offence for rookie running back Talbot to punch in his first career touchdown. The 22-year-old from Windsor University was trusted with the red zone carry, with Travis Theis out of the game due to injury, to get into the end zone with a six-yard score on just his second career carry.

Minas Panagiotakis/CFL.ca

On a night where the defences were dominating, it was only fitting to see a defensive score. Alouettes’ linebacker Beverette picked off Rourke late in the third quarter and returned it 57 yards to cap off a 20-point quarter for the Alouettes.

Alexander had 11 straight completions to start the game and finished the night 25-for-34 racking up 297 yards and a touchdown pass. Philpot and Tyler Snead were the prime benefactors of the Als’ pass attack as the CFL’s leading receivers both received nine targets. Snead hauled in seven receptions for 69 yards to go along with a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Philpot extended his lead atop the receiving yards leaderboard with 98 yards on eight receptions.

Rourke was busy on the evening as the BC run game was muted by a strong Alouettes’ defensive front. The Canadian signal caller went 31-for-45 with 375 yards through the air with two touchdown passes and an interception.

The Lions had four receivers eclipse 60 yards on the evening with Justin McInnis leading the way bringing in all six of his targets for a game-high 100 yards adding a touchdown grab. Jermaine Jackson and Jevon Cottoy both had seven receptions with Jackson gaining 98 yards and a score, with Cottoy adding 72 yards. Keon Hatcher Sr. had 63 yards and was the receiver on a spectacular Rourke play for a fourth quarter two-point convert.

The Alouettes improve to 7-0 at home on the season and 10-2 overall, locking up a playoff spot. The BC Lions had their five-game winning streak snapped as they fall to 6-6.

»Depth Charts: BC|MTL »Game Notes: Lions at Alouettes »Montreal, BC by the numbers

SCORING PLAYS

Davis Alexander seven-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Snead (12:11, Q1) | MTL 7 BC 0
Sean Whyte 39-yard field goal (08:37, Q1) | MTL 7 BC 3
Sean Whyte 27-yard field goal (10:37, Q2) | MTL 7 BC 6
Sean Whyte 50-yard field goal (3:06, Q2) | MTL 7 BC 9
Sean Whyte 45-yard field goal (00:00, Q2) | MTL 7 BC 12
Jose Maltos Diaz 50-yard field goal (12:02, Q3) | MTL 10 BC 12
Nathan Rourke 35-yard touchdown pass to Justin McInnis (09:09, Q3) | MTL 10 BC 19
Liam Talbot six-yard touchdown run (06:48, Q3) | MTL 17 BC 19
Jose Maltos Diaz 48-yard field goal (02:45, Q3) | MTL 20 BC 19
Tyrice Beverette 57-yard interception returned for a touchdown (01:58, Q3) | MTL 27 BC 19
Sean Whyte 36-yard field (08:08, Q4) | MTL 27 BC 22
Tyler Snead one-yard rushing touchdown (02:57, Q4) | MTL 34 BC 22
Nathan Rourke 25-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Jackson, Keon Hatcher Sr. two-point conversion (01:38, Q4) | MTL 34 BC 30
Jose Maltos Diaz 39-yard field goal (00:12, Q4) | MTL 37 BC 30

NEXT UP

The Montreal Alouettes head to BC in Week 15 to finish off the season series with a home-and-home against the Lions. Week 16 will see the Als head to the Hammer to take on the Ticats. Montreal won both their previous matchups with a Week 8 win at home 31-18 and a Week 1 30-27 overtime win in Hamilton.

The BC Lions will host the East leading Alouettes in the back end of a home and home series in Week 15. The Leos then have a Week 16 bye before hosting the Roughriders at BC Place in Week 17 action. The two teams have split the season series so far with the Riders winning in Week 2 and BC winning their most recent matchup in Week 12.

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