Castillo's final-play field goal clinches win over Alouettes, sends Bombers back to Western Final
Sergio Castillo kicked a 51-year field goal on the final play of the game, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers captured their fourth straight CFL West Division title with 28-27 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday.
Trailing by two as time wound down in the fourth quarter, Blue Bombers kicker Castillo booted his fifth field goal of the game to clinch top spot in the West for Winnipeg (11-7) in front of a sold-out crowd at Percival Molson Stadium.
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros went 24-for 32, throwing for 331 yards and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Nic Demski finished with a touchdown on 90 yards, allowing him to surpass 1,000 yards for the second straight season.
Alouettes starting quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 16 of his 20 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown in just under three quarters of action. Backup quarterback Davis Alexander took over behind centre late in the third quarter, finishing 7-of-9 passing for 100 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Montreal (12-5-1) had already clinched top spot in the East Division, a feat they accomplished for the first time since 2012.
Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette had five tackles, giving him 103 on the season. In so doing, he became just the seventh Alouette to ever surpass 100 tackles in a single season. He also added his fifth sack in the contest.
Alexander opened the fourth quarter with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The play came after he completed a 39-yard pass to Tyjon Lindsey, making his season debut for the Alouettes.
The Alouettes also wasted no time getting on the scoreboard to start the third quarter. Fajardo connected with Cole Spieker for a 47-yard reception to give Montreal a 20-9 advantage. Two plays later, Walter Fletcher rushed three yards into