Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot has emerged as a dominant force in the CFL, leading the league in receiving yards through five games. His early-season performance has positioned him to potentially break several long-standing league records. Philpot’s consistent play has been a key factor for the Alouettes, who are currently tied for the best record in the CFL.
Through five games, Philpot has accumulated 45 catches for 719 yards and four touchdowns. He holds a significant lead of 240 yards over the second-place receiver, Saskatchewan’s KeeSean Johnson. His recent outing against Calgary saw him record nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards. He has also come close to reaching 200 yards in two separate games, with 193 yards against Toronto and 198 yards against Ottawa.
Philpot’s record-breaking pace
Philpot’s current statistics project him to achieve an astronomical 2,641 receiving yards for the season. This pace puts him on track to surpass the CFL record of 2,036 yards, set by Calgary’s Allen Pitts in 1994. Additionally, he is on course to exceed the record of 160 receptions, established by Derrell Mitchell for Toronto in 1998. Both Pitts and Mitchell were import players, while Philpot is Canadian.
His performance also threatens records held by Canadian players. Calgary’s Terry Evanshen, who also played for Montreal, set a Canadian record with 1,662 yards in 1967. Ottawa’s Brad Sinopoli holds the Canadian record for catches with 116 in 2016. Philpot’s strong start suggests these marks could also be surpassed this season.
Despite the attention on his record-breaking potential, Philpot maintains a focus on weekly performance. He stated that his mindset is to go 1-0 every week, rather than concentrating on media reports about his statistics. His confidence in his abilities is evident, as he expressed, “In my mind, the guy across from me can’t guard me. That’s how I attack it.”
Philpot’s exceptional play has garnered praise from former CFL stars. Milt Stegall, a prominent CFL receiver and analyst, described Philpot’s work as “amazing,” noting that he is “in that zone” and cannot be stopped or slowed down. Stegall emphasized that Philpot’s only potential hindrance is injury, predicting a “historical season” if he remains healthy.
Alouettes’ close victories and defensive standouts
Philpot’s increased role this season has been particularly significant due to injuries affecting other Alouettes receivers. The team has been without Cole Spieker since the opening game due to an ankle injury and is missing Jerreth Sterns with a hand injury. Alexander Hollins also sustained an injury against the Stampeders, potentially impacting his availability for upcoming games. Spieker has been practicing and may return from the six-game injured list soon.
While the Alouettes share the CFL’s best record with Saskatchewan and Edmonton, their games have often been tightly contested. Montreal’s largest margin of victory has been seven points, occurring twice this season. The team has allowed an average of 30.8 points per game, contributing to several close finishes. For instance, in their 38-32 victory over Calgary, Montreal held a 24-10 lead in the second quarter and a 34-20 advantage entering the final period, only to be outscored 10-3 in the fourth quarter. The game ultimately came down to the wire, with David Perales, a defensive-lineman playing his first CFL game, knocking down a pass on third down to secure the win.
This trend of close games is not unique to the Alouettes, as the average margin of victory across the CFL’s 22 games has been 9.3 points. Nearly one-third of these games, specifically seven, have been decided by a margin of one to four points. Quarterback Davis Alexander acknowledged the team’s need to maintain intensity throughout the game, stating, “We’ve just got to keep the foot on the gas a little bit more.”
Beyond Philpot’s offensive heroics, Week 7 also highlighted several standout defensive performances across the league. Kenneth Logan Jr. of the Edmonton Elks delivered a comprehensive defensive effort in their 19-17 victory over the BC Lions. Logan was credited with five defensive stops, seven tackles, a sack, and an interception, contributing to the Elks’ improved record of 5-1.
In another notable defensive display, Ronald Kent Jr. of the BC Lions showcased strong coverage skills, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 25 per cent completion rate when targeting him. His efforts helped keep the game against Edmonton within one score until the end. Jake Kelly of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers also made a significant impact in their dramatic 36-34 comeback win against the REDBLACKS. Kelly allowed only 10 receiving yards on two targets and secured an interception, playing a crucial role as the Blue Bombers overcame a 17-point deficit.
On the offensive side, running backs also had strong showings. Dedrick Mills of the Calgary Stampeders carried the ball 15 times for 130 yards and a touchdown, forcing seven missed tackles in their loss to Montreal. Travis Theis of the Alouettes contributed significantly to their victory, rushing for 123 yards on 19 carries with 83 yards coming after contact, and scoring a touchdown.
These individual performances underscore the competitive nature of the CFL season, with both offensive and defensive players making critical contributions to their teams’ outcomes.
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Source: cfl.ca
