The Montreal Alouettes are Grey Cup bound after a dramatic 19-16 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL East Division Final on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Quarterback Davis Alexander maintained his perfect record while leading his team to a last-second win before a capacity crowd of 25,399 at Hamilton Stadium.
Defensive Battle Decided in Final Seconds
In what resembled a heavyweight championship fight, the East Division's top two teams engaged in a defensive struggle that remained scoreless through the first quarter. The game felt destined for overtime until Jose Maltos booted a 45-yard field goal as time expired to secure Montreal's victory. This marked Maltos' fourth successful field goal of the contest and capped a hard-fought battle where neither team managed to establish clear dominance.
The Alouettes now advance to the Grey Cup championship in Winnipeg, where they'll pursue their ninth CFL title and second championship in three seasons. Meanwhile, Hamilton's Grey Cup drought continues, with the team not having captured the league's ultimate prize since 1999.
Alexander's Gritty Performance
While the final score will remember Maltos' clutch kick, the victory wouldn't have been possible without quarterback Davis Alexander, who improved his remarkable record to 13-0 overall and 9-0 this season. Despite not delivering his sharpest performance, Alexander demonstrated the resilience that has defined his undefeated streak.
With the game tied 16-16 and only 1:41 remaining in regulation, Alexander engineered the game-winning drive from Montreal's 37-yard line to Hamilton's 36. The series included six plays, featuring two crucial completions to receiver Charleston Rambo—the latter a 19-yard connection that positioned Maltos for his game-winning attempt.
"It was an incredible victory," Alexander told the Montreal Gazette via telephone from Hamilton. "Our defence picked me up and what we've done all year—we found a way. That last drive meant everything to me."
Playing Through Pain
Alexander's performance became even more impressive considering he reinjured his left hamstring late in the fourth quarter. After being sacked for a five-yard loss by Hamilton linebacker Devin Veresuk, the quarterback could be seen limping noticeably. Despite the injury, Alexander insisted on remaining in the game.
"I'll be good to go for next week," Alexander assured, addressing concerns about his availability for the Grey Cup. "It's not the same type of pull I had after the Toronto game or else I wouldn't have been able to go back out there. We're going to find a way next week."
The quarterback's mobility proved crucial throughout the contest, as he unexpectedly became Montreal's leading rusher with 64 yards on seven carries. His ability to extend plays with his legs compensated for a passing performance that saw him complete 19 of 26 attempts for 210 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Historical Significance and Defensive Dominance
The victory carried historical weight for Montreal, marking the first time since 1970 that the Alouettes defeated the Tiger-Cats as the visiting team in a division final playoff game. Hamilton has traditionally been a challenging venue for Montreal, making the breakthrough victory particularly meaningful.
Montreal's defence delivered an exceptional performance against a Hamilton offense that averaged 29.2 points during the regular season. The Tiger-Cats managed only one touchdown—a three-yard pass from Bo Levi Mitchell to Shemar Bridges late in the third quarter. Mitchell completed 29 of 36 passes for 269 yards but was intercepted once by the stifling Alouettes defence.
Alouettes head coach Jason Maas expressed no surprise at the defensive nature of the contest. "I knew it would be a hard-fought game," Maas told the Montreal Gazette. "I believed it would come down to the end. I knew we'd compete on every single play."
Regarding his quarterback's performance, Maas added: "The guy is a competitor. That's what it comes down to. He gives you everything he's got. He believes. The guys believe in him."
The Alouettes have now won seven of their last eight games and will carry this momentum into the Grey Cup championship in Winnipeg, where Davis Alexander's undefeated record will face its ultimate test.
