Lemon data a centesimal profession sack as Als' defence dominates Redblacks

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The magical second for Shawn Lemon got here on the second play of the second half.

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That everybody inside Molson Stadium noticed it coming — besides the meant goal, Ottawa quarterback Dustin Crum — added some panache to the historic occasion.

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Lemon, the Alouettes’ veteran rush-end who solely joined the group on July 24, recorded his a centesimal profession sack early within the second half of Montreal’s dominant 29-3 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks Monday afternoon earlier than an introduced Thanksgiving Day crowd of 20,664 — the membership’s second-highest attendance this season.

With Crum working for his life, Lemon looped round and caught the beleaguered pivot from behind, splattering him to the turf. It was one among 5 sacks produced by the Als’ defence in maybe their most full efficiency this season.

“Actually, I didn’t know the way it will occur, however I knew. … There was a sure play (defensive co-ordinator Noel) Thorpe put in, and he at all times informed me that might be the play on which I’d get my a centesimal sack,” mentioned Lemon, sporting a Wilt Chamberlain T-shirt produced in honour of the NBA star’s 100-point recreation on March 2, 1962 in opposition to the New York Knicks whereas enjoying for the Philadelphia Warriors.

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“(Thorpe) was proper,” continued Lemon, 35. “I knew when he referred to as it. I had just a little additional juice in me on that play. I’m simply excited that I obtained it finished. I knew at the moment can be the day. I’m simply grateful and excited.”

It was Lemon’s eighth sack in solely his eleventh recreation. He additionally has two interceptions, one compelled fumble and has scored a landing. If Lemon hasn’t single-handedly modified the mindset of Montreal’s defence since his arrival, he actually has performed an integral half within the transformation of the unit, together with middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey, who has improved the Als’ run defence.

“There’s been numerous adversity that I’ve overcome in my profession,” mentioned Lemon, who has performed for each CFL group besides Hamilton over 12 years. “I’ve been launched after I had six sacks with Edmonton in 2012. I’ve been launched after I had 92 sacks in B.C. I’ve been coping with adversity at all times, however you management the idea in your self.”

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Whereas Lemon didn’t retain the ball used for the monumental sack, he was introduced with the sport ball by head coach Jason Maas.

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It was the Als’ third successive victory and improved their document to 9-7 with two regular-season video games remaining. Montreal is 2 factors forward of the Tiger-Cats (8-8), however has already clinched the season sequence between the groups. The Redblacks at the moment are 4-12, destined for an additional last-place end within the East Division. The Als defeated Ottawa 4 instances this season.

Throughout Montreal’s three-game successful streak, the group has allowed a mixed 29 factors, nearly remarkable within the CFL. The one caveat to this accomplishment is that it has come in opposition to Calgary and twice in opposition to Ottawa, the Als enhancing to 9-0 in opposition to the league’s weaker groups. Montreal has but to defeat Toronto, Winnipeg or B.C., the three strongest golf equipment.

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“The defence has been enjoying a excessive degree of soccer,” Maas mentioned. “They’re bodily on the level of assault, taking the ball away, scoring touchdowns, getting after the quarterback. I don’t know that there’s an excessive amount of to not like about them. They’re enjoying at an especially excessive degree and so they’re believing in what we’re calling and dealing collectively. Taking part in for each other.

“It’s extraordinarily enjoyable to look at.”

Together with the 5 sacks on Monday, Montreal’s defence restricted the Redblacks to 11 first downs and a paltry 180 yards’ web offence. Ottawa’s offence had the ball lower than 23 minutes whereas working solely 43 performs. On the intermission, the guests had been held to 4 first downs and 75 yards’ offence.

Crum accomplished 5 of 13 passes for 72 yards earlier than being changed by Nick Arbuckle to start out the fourth quarter.

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The Als, as is changing into their customized, scored one other defensive landing. This one got here early within the fourth quarter when Reggie Stubblefield compelled an Arbuckle fumble, recovered by Tyrice Beverette, who returned it 36 yards.

Montreal has scored eight defensive touchdowns this season — 5 on interceptions and three fumble returns. It’s a formidable whole and has come in useful on a group that struggles offensively to search out the top zone.

“That is fairly particular, what these (defensive) guys have been capable of accomplish,” Maas mentioned. “It has been very, very spectacular.

“It’s enormous. It blows video games open, clearly. Factors are factors. It doesn’t matter the way you get them. It clearly helps you win ball video games. These are important performs our defence is making. It’s one factor to get a turnover. When you possibly can flip it into factors, it’s one other ball recreation. While you’re in a position to try this constantly all year long, it’s simply superior. They’ve finished it a variety of instances and it helps us win, every time.”

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Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo was almost excellent, finishing 28 of 32 passes for 272 yards and a 38-yard landing strike to Tyson Philpot. Backup QB Caleb Evans culminated a 102-yard drive within the third quarter with a one-yard scoring run.

José Maltos, changing the injured David Côté, made area objectives from 45 and 18 yards, however missed from 49 and 48 and isn’t any menace to Côté’s job safety.

The Als are in Edmonton Saturday afternoon.

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