After holding the Montreal Alouettes to just three points in the first half, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defense could not find a way to stop Davis Alexander. The unheralded quarterback entered the game in the third quarter in relief of Caleb Evanns.

The third-year pivot out of Portland State finished 15-of-18 passing for 178 yards and those two scores — his first in the CFL — to help Montreal improve to a league-best 6-1 on the season.

Saskatchewan starter Shea Patterson was 21-of-33 passing for 222 yards. Frankie Hickson rushed 16 times for 117 yards and a TD. The Alouettes, meanwhile, could not get their running game going, totalling only 33 yards. 

With veteran starter Cody Fajardo on the six-game injured list and backup Caleb Evans struggling with just 91 yards on 9-of-17 passing through 30 minutes, Alexander took over at halftime with Montreal trailing 16-3.

The Alouettes offence quickly came to life, cutting the deficit to six when Davis found Reggie White Jr. in the end zone at the 10:31 of the third quarter. 

Montreal went ahead for the first time at 17-16 when Davis found White Jr. for the pair’s second TD connection of the night with 1:19 remaining in the third. 

Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther hit the upright on a 53-yard field goal attempt that would have given Saskatchewan the lead with 11:44 left in the fourth. 

Jose Maltos converted a field goal from 21 yards out to push the Alouettes’ lead to 20-16 with 4:21 left to play before Montreal’s defence held firm late.

The Roughriders got the scoring started with a 22-yard field goal from Lauther to take a 3-0 lead at 9:04 in the opening quarter. 

The Alouettes roared down the field on their first possession, but would have to settle for a field goal by Jose Maltos at the 5:34 mark to tie the score at 3-3. 

A sack and fumble recovery by the Roughriders’ defence put them in excellent scoring position just before the end of the first quarter. Hickson’s 20-yard run into the end zone gave Saskatchewan a 10-3 lead after 15 minutes. 

Lauther added to Saskatchewan’s lead with a 43-yard field goal with 5:33 left in the second.

The Alouettes’ special teams unit came up big with a fumble recovery at the 1:35 mark of the second, but after going three-and-out their 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Anthony Lanier II. 

 The Roughriders went into halftime with a 16-3 lead after Lauther made a 22-yard field goal with time winding down in the second quarter. 

Alouettes 20, Roughriders 16

CFL Thursday night:

First Quarter

Sask _ FG Lauther 22 5:56

Mtl _ FG Maltos 16 9:26

Sask _ TD Hickson 20 run (Lauther convert) 15:00

Second Quarter

Sask _ FG Lauther 43 9:27

Sask _ FG Lauther 22 15:00

Third Quarter

Mtl _ TD White Jr. 5 pass from Alexander (Maltos convert) 9:29

Mtl _ TD White Jr. 31 pass from Alexander (Maltos convert) 13:27

Fourth Quarter

Mtl _ FG Maltos 21 10:39

Attendance N.A. at Montreal.

Ottawa 20, Edmonton 14

Saskatchewan 19, Winnipeg 9

Hamilton 27, Toronto 24

Calgary 25, BC 24

Montreal 20, Saskatchewan 16

Calgary at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Winnipeg at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Hamilton at Edmonton, 7 p.m.

BC at Winnipeg, 8:30 p.m.

Montreal at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.

Edmonton at Saskatchewan, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Calgary, 7 p.m.