MONTREAL — Mario Alford gave the Montreal Alouettes a major momentum boost against the Edmonton Eskimos with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown in the Eastern Semi-Final on Sunday.

The 27-year-old return specialist’s highlight-reel touchdown was the third longest kickoff return in CFL playoff history, and it is also the longest kickoff return in a CFL playoff game in the last 55 years.

Gene Gaines holds the record with a 128-yard kickoff return in 1964 as a member of the Ottawa Rough Riders, while Gerry James had a 101-yard kickoff return in 1957 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Alford’s return brought Montreal within two points of the Esks midway through the second quarter. The Als had just surrendered a touchdown on defence before he took the ensuing kickoff to the end zone.

Alford also had two punt return touchdowns during the regular season, and there have now been 21 kick return touchdowns scored this season.