Alouettes’ defensive tackle Michael Wakefield ejected versus Riders for pair of misconduct penalties

Photo courtesy: Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes

The Montreal Alouettes will finish their game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders without their leading sack artist after defensive tackle Michael Wakefield was ejected from the contest mid-way through the third quarter.

Wakefield committed a pair of misconduct penalties after the whistle on the same Riders’ drive. On his second infraction, he appeared to slap Riders’ right tackle Na’Ty Rodgers after an altercation in the red zone, drawing an automatic ejection due to an offseason CFL rule change.

Rodgers drew an off-setting penalty on the first call against Wakefield but escaped punishment on the second. Quarterback Cody Fajardo finished the drive by plunging for a touchdown through Wakefield’s vacated defensive tackle spot, putting the Riders in front 25-13.

Wakefield entered the game with a team-high three sacks despite playing a primarily rotational role. He was starting in place of veteran Almondo Sewell, who missed the game for non-injury reasons.

Wakefield registered 23 defensive tackles, four sacks, and four knockdowns in 12 games during the 2021 season, his first with the Alouettes. In four CFL seasons, the 28-year-old Valdosta, Ga. native has amassed 77 defensive tackles and 11 sacks, as well as an interception.