The game turned only seven minutes in the first quarter, after each team exchanged field goals, BC running back, Martell Mallett fumbled the ball on the Lions' 22 that was eventually recovered by Montreal's Shea Emry. On the next play, Montreal quarterback, Anthony Calvillo found wide receiver, Jamel Richardson all alone in the end zone and threw his first touchdown pass of the game to give the Alouettes a 10–3 lead. On their next offensive possession, the BC Lions would turn the ball over again, when Casey Printers threw an interception to Montreal's Billy Parker, who would return the ball for 45 yards, which eventually set up a four-yard touchdown pass by Calvillo to Kerry Watkins for a 17–3, Alouettes lead to end the first quarter.