MONTREAL — Davis Alexander threw for two touchdowns and Micah Awe’s blocked punt led to a late score as the Montreal Alouettes downed the Toronto Argonauts 37-30 in their CFL home opener on Friday night.
Alexander was 30-of-42 passing for 441 yards and two touchdowns for Montreal (2-0), which won its season opener 30-27 in overtime last week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Tyson Philpot had nine catches for 193 yards — including 136 in the first half — and two touchdowns before an announced 21,106 at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.
Alexander extended his CFL regular-season record to begin a career to 13-0, his only loss coming in last year’s Grey Cup.
Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly finished 28-of-46 passing for 445 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in his first game following a 580-day layoff.
The former CFL outstanding player missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a severe leg injury in the East final on Nov. 9, 2024, in Montreal.
Kevin Mital made seven receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown for Toronto (0-1) in head coach Mike Miller’s first game in charge.
The Argos, who missed the playoffs last season after winning the 2024 Grey Cup, started the season with a bye week.
Argos kicker Lirim Hajrullahu made three field goals but also missed twice on a humid, 25 C night. Montreal’s Jose Maltos Diaz went 3-for-3, including one from 40 yards out.
The Alouettes took a 24-23 lead with 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter when short-yardage QB Dustin Crum rushed for a one-yard TD, capping a seven-play drive that included four Alexander passes to Jerreth Sterns.
Awe helped the Alouettes extend that advantage with 2:49 remaining, blocking a punt from John Haggerty III. Arthur Hamlin recovered the ball from a pile of players in the end zone to put the Alouettes ahead 30-23 after Maltos Diaz missed the convert.
The tide turned again when Alouettes returner Phillip Brooks fumbled 30 seconds later. Montreal’s defence bailed him out, forcing a turnover on downs thanks in part to a sack from Mustafa Johnson.
Philpot then scored on a 56-yard catch-and-run TD as the Alouettes took a commanding 37-23 lead with 1:13 left on the clock.
Tyler Kahmann cut the lead to 37-30 with a nine-yard TD catch in the dying seconds.
Toronto had gained a 20-14 lead on the second play from scrimmage after halftime, with Kelly hitting Mital at the Montreal 20-yard line. Mital then ran the ball in for a 63-yard major, dodging a tackle from Arthur Hamlin on the way.
Janarion Grant returned a punt 56 yards to push the Argos back into the red zone, only for Hajrullahu to miss his second field goal of the night from 29 yards out.
The Alouettes wasted little time scoring in the first half, reaching the end zone on their third play from scrimmage when Alexander — on a flea flicker with running back Travis Theis — launched a 45-yard pass deep to Philpot just 1:44 into the game.
It was one of many highlight-reel plays from Philpot, who also wrapped his arms around DaShaun Amos’ helmet for a 23-yard reception in the second quarter.
Both teams traded field goals before Argos defensive back Benjie Franklin punched the ball out of Philpot’s hands inside the Toronto 30-yard line to force a turnover early in the second quarter.
The Argos later tied the game 13-13 with 1:18 remaining in the first half as Kelly and David Ungerer III connected on a 10-yard toss. Kahmann hauled in a 43-yard dart from Kelly earlier in the six-play, 70-yard drive.
Argonauts: Visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, June 20.
Alouettes: Visit the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, June 20.