By Canadian Press

Veteran Bethel-Thompson throws two touchdown passes to lead Argonauts past Alouettes

Sep 24, 2021 | 7:56 PM

TORONTO — McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw two touchdown passes as the short-handed Toronto Argonauts beat the Montreal Alouettes 30-27 on Friday night.

Toronto (4-3) improved to 3-0 at BMO Field despite being without starter Nick Arbuckle (hamstring) and Canadian linebackers Henoc Muamba (hamstring) and Cam Jordan (ankle). And before the opening kickoff, the Argos announced starting receiver Eric Rogers wasn’t playing, replaced by Damion Jeanpiere, who came off the practice roster.

Bethel-Thompson earned his second win in three starts this season while a Toronto defence — with new consultant Chris Jones calling the plays — forced four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles). Montreal came in leading the CFL in rushing (149.4 yards per game), offensive scoring (23.8 points), net offence (385.6 yards) and fewest sacks allowed (five).

Yet Montreal continually hurt itself with turnovers and penalties (11 for 129 yards). Still, David Cote’s 38-yard field goal at 8:44 of the fourth quarter pulled the Alouettes to within 27-20 until Boris Bede’s 37-yard boot at 13:00 put Toronto ahead 30-20 before a BMO Field gathering of 7,758.

Vernon Adams Jr.’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Jake Weineke at 14:05 to cut Toronto’s lead to 30-27. But the Argos recovered the onside kick attempt with 53 seconds remaining.

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The Alouettes got their final possession at their 12-yard line with 11 seconds remaining but there’d be no miracle comeback.

Bethel-Thompson finished 13-of-19 passing for 210 yards and the two touchdowns. In 2019, the veteran threw a CFL-best 26 TD passes and was third overall in passing (4,024 yards).

Montreal’s William Stanback ran for 133 yards and a TD on 19 carries. Adams Jr. finished 30-of-39 passing for 382 yards and two TDs with two interceptions.

Friday’s contest began an important stretch for both teams. It was the first of five straight games versus East Division opponents for Montreal while Toronto will play another contests against conference rivals.

Kurleigh Gittens Jr., D.J. Foster and Chandler Worthy had Toronto’s touchdowns. Bede added the converts and three field goals in his first game against his former team.

Eugene Lewis had Montreal’s other touchdown. Cote booted the converts and two field goals.

Montreal opened the second half with a smart eight-play, 65-yard march. But it ended with Crezdon Butler recovering B.J. Cunningham’s fumble at Toronto’s 10-yard line. 

However, Stanback’s three-yard TD run at 12:36 of the third pulled Montreal to within 21-17. Toronto then countered with Bede’s 29-yard field goal to open the fourth for a 24-17 advantage.

Bethel-Thompson’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Worthy with nine seconds to play staked the Argos to a 21-10 half-time lead as they ended the quarter by scoring 14 points within 42 seconds. Foster put Toronto ahead 14-10 with a three-yard run at 14:09.

Worthy’s touchdown came just two plays after Chris Edwards intercepted Adams Jr. and gave Toronto possession at centre field. Montreal trailed at the half despite having rushed for 96 yards and holding the ball for over 18 minutes.

What’s more, Montreal surrendered two first-half sacks. And Bethel-Thompson was a stellar 11-of-13 passing for 173 yards and the two TDs.

Montreal took a 10-7 lead on Cote’s 17-yard field goal at 8:27. It was set up by Rashaun Simonise’s recovery of Worthy’s kickoff return fumble at the Toronto 42-yard line.

The Alouettes were kicking off after Adams Jr.’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Lewis at 2:57 made it 7-7.

Toronto opened the scoring with Bethel-Thompson’s 15-yard TD strike to Gittens Jr. at 11:39 of the first. It capped a 10-play, 94-yard drive that was aided by a 34-yard pass interference call on Montreal’s Greg Reid.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2021.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press