Bethel-Thompson, Philpot lead Alouettes to 48-31 win over Riders, snap five-game skid

By Canadian Press on September 13, 2025.

REGINA — McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns in his return from a three-game absence due to an elbow injury as the Montreal Alouettes snapped a five-game losing streak with a 48-31 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.

Tyson Philpot was a frequent target of Bethel-Thompson’s — who was 21-of-27 passing — with nine receptions, 238 yards and two TDs for Montreal (6-7).

Stevie Scott III also ran for 120 yards on 19 carries, with backup quarterback Shea Patterson scoring two rushing touchdowns.

Despite the defeat, the Riders (10-3) clinched a post-season berth thanks to Edmonton’s loss earlier Saturday to Toronto and Winnipeg falling to Hamilton on Friday.

The Alouettes dominated the first half, outscoring the Riders 28-10 while rolling up 324 yards of net offence.

Montreal attacked Saskatchewan cornerbacks Kerfalla-Emmanuel Exume and Benny Sapp III, who were replacing injured starters Marcus Sayles and Tevaughn Campbell. Exume, who entered the contest with 88 CFL games played, was making his first start and had his hands full covering Philpot.

Philpot had touchdown catches of 59 and 16 yards, along with a 39-yard reception, with Exume in coverage in the opening 30 minutes.

Bethel-Thompson was 13-of-17 passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns in the half. Philpot finished the half with five catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

The Saskatchewan offence struggled in the half and turned the ball over twice on a Trevor Harris interception and a Tommy Stevens fumble.

Exume’s struggles continued in the fourth quarter when he was beat by Philpot for a 77-yard reception. A horse collar tackle penalty on the play took the ball to the Saskatchewan one-yard line.

Patterson, who spent the previous two seasons with the Riders, scored on a sneak to increase the lead to 38-17. It was Patterson’s second touchdown of the game.

Montreal offensive lineman Donald Ventrelli also got on the scoresheet, recovering an Austin Mack goal-line fumble for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

KeeSean Johnson, on a 38-yard reception from Harris, Dohnte Meyers, on a 47-yard pass from Jake Maier, Stevens, on a one-yard run, and A.J. Ouellette, on a one-yard run, scored touchdowns for the Riders.

Harris finished 23-of-32 passing for 251 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown throw was the 200th of Harris’s CFL career.

Montreal kicker Jose Maltos connected on four field goals and one single. Saskatchewan’s Brett Lauther had one field goal.

UP NEXT

Montreal: Travels to Toronto to play the Argos on Friday.

Saskatchewan: Heads into a bye week before returning to action on Sept. 27 against the Elks in Edmonton.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2025.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press