Offence's incapability to complete drives results in irritating loss for Alouettes -

“I really feel like there have been a number of alternatives at present that we did not capitalize on,” quarterback Trevor Harris mentioned.

Redblacks’ Adam Auclair tackles Alouettes Chandler Worthy throughout second half at Molson Stadium on Monday. Picture by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette

We’ve come to count on this from the Alouettes, haven’t we? A workforce, it appears, that refuses to take the traditional path to its finish objective, no matter that could be. So why would Monday afternoon be any totally different?

“I’m fairly pissed off, identical to everyone else,” common supervisor and interim head coach Danny Maciocia mentioned after watching his workforce implode en path to a 24-18 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks at Molson Stadium. “We had many alternatives to get a few touchdowns, which we weren’t in a position to do. Ultimately, whenever you miss out on these alternatives, it comes again to hang-out you.”

Earlier than a season-high crowd of 21,824 on Thanksgiving, the Als would have been grateful for a number of extra journeys into the Redblacks’ finish zone. However all they might muster was one landing, late within the second quarter, when Trevor Harris related with Eugene Lewis for a 15-yard rating.

Montreal had repeated journeys into the crimson zone, however was pressured to accept 4 David Côté subject targets. To not diminish Côté’s significance to this workforce, however he has the best job on the sphere. Two of his kicks got here from 14 yards, one other from 16 and, the longest, from the 25.

“I really feel like there have been a number of alternatives at present that we didn’t capitalize on,” mentioned Harris, whose statistics have been deceptive. He accomplished 30 of 38 passes for 338 yards — an almost flawless efficiency.

However Harris ceaselessly was underneath stress, regardless of not getting sacked, behind an offensive line that was hobbled following the departure of centre Sean Jamieson within the second quarter with a severe knee damage. Harris, at occasions, additionally appeared to have completely satisfied ft, reluctant to get hit — comprehensible at age 36.

Harris fumbled within the third quarter whereas making an attempt to supply a primary down along with his ft — the turnover ultimately leading to an Ottawa landing. And he was unable to ship when required. The Als drove to the Redblacks’ 19 within the ultimate minute, however with third down and 11.4 seconds remaining, his go to Lewis was too excessive and would have required a one-handed catch.

“The final play of the sport’s going to bug me,” Harris mentioned. “I lifted the ball a little bit bit. Small little issues like that. Penalties. Not changing second downs. Area place. A few small issues which might be turning the tide. We simply should execute. We’ve bought to be higher. We will’t kick the small subject targets. We have now to attain touchdowns. It makes a giant distinction.”

The Als have been nursing a tenuous 15-7 lead at halftime, but in addition managed the ball for barely greater than 20 minutes. However following the intermission, as is so typically the case, they couldn’t generate any offence within the third quarter, restricted to 4 performs. Montreal’s solely factors within the second half weren’t produced till 9 minutes into the ultimate interval. The Als have been outscored 17-3 within the second half, their time of possession roughly 9 minutes.

There’s no denying the Als have been on run, having gained a season-high three straight and 5 of their final six. However, a victory would have pushed them over .500 for the primary time this season, together with clinching a house playoff sport.

As a substitute, Montreal is now 7-8, 4 factors behind first-place Toronto. The Als should win their remaining three video games — together with two towards the Argonauts — and hope Toronto loses subsequent weekend at Edmonton for any shot at capturing the division.

As for the Redblacks, who have been taking part in their first sport underneath interim head coach Bob Dyce, they improved to 4-11 — two of these wins coming towards Montreal. Onerous to fathom, contemplating the quantity of one-sided defeats Ottawa has suffered.

“There are not any gimmes on this league,” Maciocia mentioned. “You possibly can’t simply present up, pondering the opposite workforce’s going to mail it in and offer you two factors.”

A scarcity of self-discipline, once more, got here again to hang-out the Als, penalized 9 occasions for 122 yards, though the Redblacks took 119 yards themselves. It ought to make for an fascinating rematch Friday evening in Ottawa.

“When frustration units in, we kind of revert again to our outdated methods,” Maciocia admitted. “That’s clearly unacceptable. We simply can’t return to being that workforce.”

Within the third quarter, for instance, a Tyrice Beverette fumble restoration was nullified on account of a roughness penalty towards Micah Awe, additionally responsible of a facemask later.

“That’s a game-changing play proper there,” linebacker Adarius Pickett mentioned. “If (Jaelon) Acklin breaks the deal with and continues to run, they’re going to name it a landing. They’re not going to cease the play. They by no means blew the whistle, I knocked the ball free, we recovered it. Beverette takes it down the sphere and places us in scoring place. That’s a game-changing play.

“The referees took the sport out of our palms with that play alone.”

Als tailback William Stanback returned after fracturing his ankle within the opening sport on June 9. However his workload was restricted and he was a non-factor, gaining 20 yards on eight carries. His frustration post-game was apparent.

“We shouldn’t have misplaced that sport,” he mentioned. “We at all times put ourselves in conditions the place we play all the way down to everybody else’s degree.”

Stanback has some extent. However now, he’s additionally supplied Ottawa will bulletin board materials.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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