The Canadian Press
MONTREAL — There was a time, not that long ago, when Antonio Pipkin was no longer part of the Montreal Alouettes’ future.
Now, after turning in two impressive starts, including a 25-22 win over the Toronto Argonauts Friday night, he may have just forced himself into their plans.
Pipkin threw for 303 yards and scored twice on the ground in his second career start, setting up Boris Bede‘s game-winning field goal with 1:10 remaining for the Als’ first home win of 2018.
“That was a lot of fun,” said Pipkin after the game.
RELATED
» Pipkin, Bede lead Als to late win
» Sherman mum on Als’ QB situation
» By The Numbers: View Boxscore
» Bio: Antonio Pipkin by the numbers
For the 23-year-old sophomore, who saw his first CFL action late in 2017 but was cut by the team during training camp — before injuries forced the team to sign him again — Friday’s win was indicative of a team starting to find itself.
“The organization is headed in the right direction,” said Pipkin. “We took some great steps leading up to this game, with our confidence, just going out expecting to win. We’re going in the right direction.
“It comes from the guys in the locker-room,” he added. “Guys in the huddle having confidence in you. Those guys, they do everything they’re supposed to do.
“I just try to do my part and get those guys the ball. Those guys are playmakers. You saw B.J. Cunningham make a guy fall there. He’s just a hell of a route-runner.”
While their season remains on life support, the win over an East Division foe pulled the team within two points of the third-place Argos and four of the second-place Ticats, who occupy the last playoff spot in the East and, as of now, the right to host a playoff game come November.
Perhaps more importantly, the Als have eight games left in the season to try and change the recent culture of losing. Prior to Friday, the Alouettes had just one win over the last calendar year, dating back to Aug. 11, 2017 vs. the Argos.
Part of that will be determining who can become the team’s quarterback of the future. That was supposed to be Johnny Manziel, but Pipkin has made a case for himself to start in Week 12 in Ottawa, even if Manziel is healthy.
“That’s not my call, but I’ll be ready,” Pipkin answered, asked whether he’s earned another start.
“We’ll go back and look at the tape,” added Head Coach Mike Sherman, “and we’ll go into next week and see where we’re at and make evaluations during the week, not after an emotional win.”
Either way, Friday’s win was an important step for a team in desperate need of direction. Equally key to a turnaround this season will be the defence, which previous to Week 11 surrendered a dismal 500-plus yards in each of its last four games, something no other team in CFL history has ever done.
On Friday, however, the Als held the Argos to 349 yards and 18 first downs, preventing any further late-game heroics from emerging quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
Sherman said he was impressed by national defensive back Tevaughn Campbell, who made his first start at field corner after returning to the team recently. Campbell was cut early in the year in a surprise move at the time.
William Stanback started at running back in place for the injured Tyrell Sutton. Stanback left for a while with what Sherman called a hamstring injury, but finished the game ‘at about 80 per cent’.
The Als seek a second straight win on Friday when they visit the nation’s capital to take on the East Division-leading Ottawa REDBLACKS.
