Davis Alexander Stays Perfect as Alouettes Edge Tiger-Cats to Reach Grey Cup
HAMILTON — Davis Alexander will head to the Grey Cup with his perfect record intact — and a relentless Montreal defence to thank for it.
The Montreal Alouettes quarterback improved to 13-0 as a starter as his team edged the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 19-16 in a thrilling East Final on Saturday. The victory sends the Alouettes to next Sunday’s Grey Cup in Winnipeg, where they’ll face the winner of the West Final between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions.
Alexander’s Tough Night, Montreal’s Tougher Defence
It wasn’t Alexander’s sharpest outing, but the sophomore pivot did just enough to preserve his unbeaten record before a sellout crowd of 25,399 at Tim Hortons Field. Montreal’s defence handled the rest, containing Bo Levi Mitchell and Hamilton’s explosive offence in a game the Alouettes never trailed.
Alexander, who has battled a recurring hamstring issue throughout the year, appeared to tweak it again in the fourth quarter after a hit but stayed in to lead Montreal’s final drive.
Trading Blows in the Second Half
After a quiet opening half, both teams found the end zone early in the third quarter.
Alexander rolled right and found Tyler Snead wide open for a 28-yard touchdown, giving the Alouettes a 13-3advantage. Hamilton responded with a composed 10-play, 77-yard drive capped by Mitchell’s three-yard TD pass to Shemar Bridges, having completed all eight of his throws on the series.
The teams then traded field goals in the fourth quarter before Marc Liegghio’s 23-yard kick tied the game at 16-16 with 1:47 left.
Maltos Diaz Wins It at the Death
Montreal regained possession with less than two minutes remaining, and Alexander calmly guided a seven-play, 36-yard drive. He converted two key second downs with passes to Charleston Rambo, setting up Jose Maltos Diaz, who drilled a 45-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win.
A Defensive Grind Early On
The Alouettes held a slim 6-3 halftime lead, thanks to a 36-yard Maltos Diaz field goal in the final seconds of the second quarter. Both offences sputtered early — Hamilton’s first five possessions ended in four punts and an interception on a misplaced throw from Mitchell intended for Kenny Lawler.
Montreal’s attack also struggled to find rhythm, with Alexander missing several throws under pressure. Hamilton looked poised to score late in the half, but a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Jordan Murray, followed by a helmet-slamming infraction, erased 25 yards and forced the Ticats to settle for a field goal to tie it 3-3.
The Alouettes now turn their attention to Winnipeg, aiming to complete their magical run with a Grey Cup title — and keep Davis Alexander’s perfect record alive.
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