Argos top the Als in exhibition play

Awkasi Owusu-Ansah and Aaron Berry returned first-half interceptions for touchdowns as the Toronto Argonauts beat the Montreal Alouettes 24-20 on Thursday night in the first CFL exhibition game for both teams.

Neither squad was especially sharp offensively before a sparse BMO Field gathering estimated at about 2,000 spectators. Then again, both teams didn’t dress a number of their starters.

The contest was Marc Trestman’s first as Toronto head coach. Trestman spent five years on Montreal’s sideline (2008-12), winning two Grey Cups before becoming the Chicago Bears’ head coach.

Trestman was fired last season as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator. He returned to the CFL with Toronto, joining GM Jim Popp, who had hired Trestman in Montreal.

Montreal will host the Grey Cup champion Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night in the final exhibition game for both teams. Toronto visits the Hamilton TigerCats next Friday night.

The Alouettes open the ‘17 campaign hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 22. Toronto’s season opener is June 25 at BMO Field versus the Ticats.

Receiver Jimmy Ralph, a free-agent rookie from Alberta, had Toronto’s lone offensive TD, a 10yard catch from sophomore quarterback Cody Fajardo at 2:07 of the fourth quarter. That put the Argos ahead 24-9 after Montreal pulled to within 18-9 following Boris Bede field goals of 46 and 23 yards in the third.