A tense Week 8 matchup between the Calgary Stampeders and the Montreal Alouettes. With time running out in the game, José Maltos kicked a stunning 58-yard field goal, giving the Alouettes a 23–21 win Thursday night.
It had been a fierce contest at McMahon Stadium. Calgary was in control for the majority of the game. However, by the fourth quarter, injuries, missed opportunities, and a late surging Montreal turned the whole momentum around.
The loss leaves the Stampeders at 5–2 with key injury concerns. The win has put Montreal at the same win-loss record with a renewed confidence in their depth and resilience.
José Maltos seals Alouettes’ 23–21 win with a dramatic 58-yard field goal in Week 8 thriller.
What changed the game in the final minutes?
With 1:10 left to play, José Maltos drilled a huge 58-yard field goal. It was his longest career kick in the CFL and also turned out to be the game-winning points. Calgary had one last possession, but their quarterback Matt Shiltz was unable to get past midfield. The Stampeders were also out of timeouts; thus, no more miracles in the last moment.
Maltos had an extraordinary night, adding to that big kick with four other field goals, a conversion, and a single. One whose head coach said is “unbelievable.”
Were injuries Calgary’s undoing?
Calgary’s offence was crippled as Adams Jr. departed late in the 3rd Quarter. After throwing for 193 yards and one touchdown, he was out with a suspected concussion, following a hard jerk in his pocket. The top receiver candidate, Damien Alford, also left early on, holding his right thigh.
The passing game disintegrated without Adams Jr. Shiltz filled in but could not measure up to Adams Jr.’s rhythm and mobility. These injuries disrupted Calgary’s momentum and affected the flow of the game.
Damien Alford exits early, holding his thigh in visible discomfort.
Did Calgary start the game well?
Yes, it did. The Stampeders cruised through the first half. Dedrick Mills had two rushing touchdowns to put Calgary up by 13–3 in the second quarter. Adams Jr. then found Dominique Rhymes with a 33-yard touchdown throw to increase the lead.
Calgary pressured early into a fumbled field goal attempt by Montreal. The Stampeders held possession well, managed the clock really well, and made plays until the last quarter.
Montreal’s depth proved crucial
Atlanta: A team that lost its rhythm early but composed itself for the whole contest. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for 280 yards and a touchdown. He threw for 280 yards, completing 30 of 40 passes in the last-minute rally for Montreal.
Austin Mack and Cole Spieker were very important on those drives that counted. Spieker caught a timely touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 13-13 going into halftime. Walter Fletcher also picked huge first downs in Montreal’s fourth-quarter drives.
With his kicking and the defensive stops, Maltos made sure Montreal would manage every chance given to them.
Can the Stampeders rebound?
This will all depend on the condition for Adams Jr. and Alford. Without their starting quarterback and lead receiver, Calgary has no pop. Coach Dave Dickenson reflected on how the team lost control late, saying, “We let that one get away.”
Defensive lapses, mainly in the secondary, allowed Montreal easy completions late in the game. The offensive line that did a heavy shellacking in the first half was being dominated in the last quarter. Calgary put together three dead-end drives late.
Two losses in three games have put some pressure on the team in the run-up to Week 9.
José Maltos’ game-winning field goal was unforgettable
Maltos’ 58-yard field goal silenced the home crowd. It sailed smoothly between the uprights and went deep into the annals of history. For a kicker who, at one time, was inconsistent, his stepping up and performing in this fashion was a landmark moment.
His steadiness was something upon which the Alouettes relied, even when their drives bogged down. In total, Maltos had 17 points to Montreal’s 23. His last kick was not just the epitome of skill—the kick stood to emblemize the Alouettes’ cool demeanour in the face of pressure.
The Week 8 match will be remembered because of that. Calgary’s sorrow is Montreal’s joy.
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Montreal’s poise and Maltos’ power reshaped the Week 8 narrative
The Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes Week 8 contest was filled with tons of drama, with highs and lows emotionally and strategy-wise. The Stampeder’s early control began fading amid the pressure and injuries. Montreal jumped in to capitalise, never panicked, and kicked themselves into victory.
With many pitchers in question for the next few weeks, Calgary better head out with some quick adjustments. It’s a long season, but it is losses like these that will test your team’s character. For the Alouettes, José Maltos’ winning field goal might be the signal of redemption in the 2025 campaign.
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