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Neiswander shines as Alouttes rout Eskimos

Oct 5, 2013 - 11:22 PM Edmonton, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Josh Neiswander passed for 251 yards and four touchdowns as the Montreal Alouttes coasted to a 47-24 decision over the Edmonton Eskimos in a non-conference bout at Commonwealth Stadium.

Neiswander completed 15-of-25 passes and was intercepted only once as the Alouttes (6-8) picked up their second consecutive win. Arland Bruce made four receptions for 101 yards and a pair of majors while S.J. Green was also on the receiving end of a two touchdown passes in the victory. Tyrell Sutton and Jerome Messam both tallied 63 yards on the ground. Troy Smith saw action under center also, but went only 1-of-5 for 11 yards with an interception. Jerald Brown recorded two of Montreal's five interceptions.

Mike Reilly returned to start for Edmonton (3-11) after exiting last week's game with concussion-like symptoms. He went 13-of-21 for 180 yards with two interceptions in his return. Jonathan Crompton also got a chance and hit on 13-of-26 attempts for 204 yards with three majors and the same number of interceptions. Adarius Bowman racked up 111 yards on seven catches and Shamawd Chambers made a pair of touchdown catches.

Montreal had little trouble in the early going. After a 50-yard field goal by Hugh O'Neil was no good, the Alouttes went up 7-0 as Neiswander completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Green just over five minutes after the opening kickoff.

Edmonton's next drive ended as Reilly was intercepted by Jerald Brown in Montreal territory. Neiswander completed a 62-yard pass to Bruce to set up a 22-yard pass to Green for a major. The Eskimos got on the board in the closing seconds of the first frame as O'Neill chipped in a 24-yard field goal attempt to make it 14-3.

The Alouttes continued their dominance in the second quarter with 17 unanswered points. Troy Smith scored on a one-yard run and Neiswander completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Bruce with only 1:22 left before halftime. Sean Whyte added three points with a 37-yard field goal that helped Montreal take a 31-3 lead into halftime.

Neither side managed to find any success with the ball in the third quarter. Montreal added a point as Whyte registered a single with a 46-yard punt.

After Brown intercepted Crompton in the final seconds of the third quarter, Neiswander completed a 21-yard pass to Bruce for a major. Whyte converted the extra-point try and added a single with a 49-yard punt three minutes later.

Crompton continued to fire away during his relief work and completed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Chambers. He connected with Chambers on a six-yard pass for a major with 4:30 remaining as well.

Montreal's backup passer did not have as much luck as Smith was intercepted by Joe Burnett following Chambers's touchdown grab. Crompton struck again with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Fred Stamps.

Despite the wide margin on the scoreboard, Montreal gained 450 yards of total offence to Edmonton's 429 total yards. The Alouttes averaged 7.5 yards per carry and committed only one turnover in the game.

Game Notes

Chambers finished with 87 yards on five catches...Nate Coehoorn made two receptions for 58 yards...Edmonton now holds a 37-29-2 all-time series lead considering only regular season matchups...Neiswander registered his second- career win with the victory...Reilly was announced as the starter for Edmonton after being medically cleared to play on Friday...The Alouttes hold a six- point lead over the Eskimos in the standings.